Policy information sourced from Welwyn Hatfield District Plan
TCR7 Retail Frontages in WGC Town Centre
Within the designated Retail Frontages in the primary retail core of Welwyn Garden City town centre, as defined on Inset Map 2, a minimum of 70% of any one linear frontage must remain in Class A1 Retail use. Therefore, planning permission will be granted for changes of use from Class A1 to Class A2 or A3 uses up to a maximum of 30% of any one linear frontage.
In Retail Frontages where already less than 70% of the linear frontage is in Class A1 use, planning permission will not be granted for change of use to non-retail uses. The only exceptions to this will be if the proposal is for a Class A3 use which would provide an ‘eat-in’ restaurant or café facility for shoppers, which would:
- Contribute to the overall attractiveness of the town centre; and
- Not undermine the retail function of the frontage.
For changes of use to Class A3, the Council may grant planning permission for a specific use within Class A3 or impose other conditions to control the use of the premises, where planning permission would otherwise be refused.
Planning permission will only be granted where the proposal would not harm the amenities of nearby residential properties.
For more information please see the Welwyn Hatfield District Plan