Policy information sourced from Welwyn Hatfield District Plan
TCR25 Small Neighbourhood Centres
In the Small Neighbourhood Centres, changes of use from Class A1 Retail use to Class A2 or A3 will not be permitted unless all of the following criteria can be met:
- The loss of the shop would not seriously diminish the provision of local shopping facilities;
- The proposed use would add to the vitality and viability of the centre;
- The centre would remain predominately in Class A1 Retail use;
- It can be demonstrated that the unit has remained vacant for over a year and documentary evidence has been provided that all reasonable attempts to sell or let the premises for continued use as a shop have failed, and/or the presence of vacant units in the parade indicates a lack of demand for retail use;
- The proposal would provide adequate highway access and servicing arrangements and would not be detrimental to the highway network, including highway safety.
Other non-retail uses may be allowed, subject to the above criteria, where it can be demonstrated it would address a particular local need.
For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan