Policy information sourced from the Waltham Forest Local Plan

42 Managing Changes of Use in Neighbourhood Centres and Local Retail Parades

Within Neighbourhood Centres and Local Retail Parades, a diverse range of town centre uses will be encouraged to predominate on ground floors. The loss of existing commercial units (where planning permission is required) will only be permitted where all of the following criteria are met:

A. Local residents would still have a reasonable range and choice of essential shops and services in the designated centre or parade, or in a nearby designated centre or parade within a reasonable walking distance;

B. The replacement use could be considered beneficial to the local community, or provide locally distinctive community services that serve local residents and nearby communities;

C. The retail unit has been vacant for a continuous period of at least six months and there is marketing evidence demonstrating the advertisement of the unit on reasonable and realistic terms; and

D. The proposed use would contribute to the vitality and viability of the particular frontage and centre generally.