Policy RET 6: Neighbourhood parades of shops

  1. The role of neighbourhood parades of shops, to provide facilities that serve a local catchment, will be supported.
  2. Development proposals in neighbourhood parades of shops for additional use class E(a) and/or F2(a) uses will be supported where they are in keeping with the scale, local role and catchment of the parade.

Supporting information

9.27  In line with LPS Policy EG 5 'Promoting a town centre first approach to retail and commerce', small parades of shops will be protected. This policy reflects the important role that neighbourhood parades of shops have in providing for the day to day needs of people their local area. Neighbourhood parades of shops generally form at least four shops located closely together. They can generally be readily accessed on foot and by bicycle and are a focus for interaction by local people, supporting community vibrancy. The council therefore wants to support the continued provision of these small scale facilities, which include post offices, general stores and hairdressers.

9.28  Changes in lifestyles over the last 50 years, such as the increase in car ownership and the emergence of large superstores, mean that many people can now travel further and more easily to obtain food and services. However, local facilities continue to play an important role for day-to-day convenience and for those residents who have difficulty accessing superstores or the town centre. These centres also provide opportunities for more specialist retailers as well as other local facilities and services, avoiding the higher rents prevalent in larger centres.

9.29  Neighbourhood parades of shops are purely of neighbourhood significance and do not fall within the definition of a town centre, as set out in the NPPF.

9.30  Developments that support the retention and delivery of community services should also make reference to LPS Policy EG 2 'Rural economy' and Policy REC 5 'Community facilities'.

9.31  The Town and Country Planning (use classes) (Amendment) (England) regulations 2020 (SI 2020 No.757) have established Class E (commercial, business and services), Class F1 (learning and non-residential institutions) and Class F2 (local community) use classes. Class E(a) relates to shops and F2(a) relates to shops selling mostly essential goods defined as selling a range of dry goods and food to visiting members of the public where there are no commercial units within 1,000 metres, and the unit’s area is under 280 square metres.

Related documents

Policy information

 

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