The function of:

Town Centres (see policy TC1) - View map details
Local Centres - View map details
and Important Local Parades (see Proposals) - View map details

as shopping locations will be supported.

See also TC1 and BIN3

Investment in shops and services in the:

Town Centres, - View map details
Local Centres - View map details
and Important Local Parades - View map details

will be encouraged by environmental improvements and by promoting other complementary activities as appropriate (see also policies TC2 & S3-7).

units can undermine the retailing vitality of a frontage and the centre as a whole. Generally concentrations of more than 3 adjoining non-retail units should be avoided in protected frontages. However, the impact will also be assessed in terms of the proportion of non-retail units in an individual frontage (as identified in the Proposals), the size of the unit(s), the nature and characteristics of the use and the attractiveness of the way the shopfront is presented. In all cases where a change of use is allowed a shopfront should be retained in order not to disrupt the physical continuity and visual appearance of the shopping area.

The retail function of the Core Shopping Frontages of the Town and Local Centres will be strongly protected. Limited changes of use of ground floor shops from Class A1 to A2 and A3 use may be allowed provided:

(a) they contribute to the vitality and viability of the centre;

(b) they do not seriously interrupt the continuity of the shopping frontage;

(c) generally the proportion of retail (A1) units in the relevant frontage would not fall below 80%; and

(d) a shopfront would be retained/provided.

View map details for Core Shopping Frontages in Town Centres
View map details for Core Shopping Frontages in Local Centres

The predominantly retail function of the Secondary Shopping Frontages of the Town and Local Centres should be retained. Changes to non-retail uses which rely on and generate passing trade will normally be acceptable providing:

(a) the majority of the units in the relevant frontage remains in Class A1 use. The Council will generally seek the retention of 60% in retail use to ensure that the predominant retail function of the frontage is maintained;

(b) the proposal would not seriously interrupt the continuity of the shopping frontage;

(c) the proposed use would be compatible with the retail function of the centre (see policy S7);

(d) there would be no adverse effect on the amenity of the area; and

(e) a shopfront would be retained/provided.


View map details for Protected Secondary Frontages in Town Centres
View map details for Protected Secondary Frontages in Local Centres

In other frontages in the Town and Local Centres, changes to non-retail use will normally be acceptable providing:

(a) the proposed use would be compatible with the retail function of the centre (see policy S7);

(b) there would be no adverse effect on the amenity of the area; and

(c) a shopfront would be retained/provided.

View map details for Other Frontages in Town Centres
View map details for Other Frontages in Local Centres

Important Local Parades (see Proposals) will be safeguarded and promoted by protecting their predominantly retail function and character. Changes to non-retail uses will normally be acceptable providing:

(a) the proposal would not result in the number of units in retail use falling below 50% subject to a minimum of 5 retail units being retained;

(b) the proposed use would be compatible with the retail function of the parade (see policy S7);

(c) there would be no adverse effect on the amenity of the area; and

(d) a shopfront would be retained/provided.


View map details for Other Frontages in Town Centres
View map details for Other Frontages in Local Centres

Non-retail uses considered to be compatible at ground floor level with the retail function of the Secondary and Other Frontages in the Town and Local Centres, and the Important Local Parades include:

- A2 uses - financial and professional services;

- A3 uses - food and drink, subject to policy S21;

- launderettes and dry cleaners;

- medical/healthcare, childcare and community uses;

- B1 and other uses offering employment gain (in Other Shopping Frontages and Important Local Parades);

- leisure and recreation uses (in Town and Local Centres);

- mini-cab offices (in Other Shopping Frontages), subject to policy S20.

Change of use of ground floor shops to residential accommodation will not normally be permitted in the Town and Local Centres and Important Local Parades.

Proposals for shopping development should preferably be located in the town centres. Where it has been demonstrated that there is a need for the proposal and suitable sites are not available within town centres then such development proposals should be located on edge-of-centre sites with good pedestrian links to the centres, followed by local centres, and only then by out-of-centre sites well served by public transport. Where out-of-centre development is proposed, developers/retailers will need to demonstrate that they have been flexible about the format, design and scale of development, and the amount of car parking proposed, and that all town and local centre options have been assessed and are not suitable.

Subject to policy S11 Pproposals for shopping development will be acceptable provided that the Council is satisfied that the proposal would:

(a) not seriously harm the vitality and viability of existing shopping centre(s), either individually or cumulatively, in relation to such matters as the impact on the physical condition, quality, attractiveness and character of existing centres, and their role in the economic and social life of the community, existing and future investment, vacancy levels and range of services;

(b) be environmentally compatible and not cause serious harm to the amenity of surrounding areas, particularly residential areas;

(c) except in the case of small-scale local facilities, be in a location well served by public transport from a range of destinations, or include the necessary public transport improvements suitable for all shoppers, including people with disabilities, to achieve this, and make convenient and safe provision for pedestrian and cycle borne shoppers;

(d) provide acceptable access to the main road network and not attract traffic which would exceed its capacity of that network, nor have an unacceptable effect on the amenity of adjoining residential areas;

(e) provide adequate on site parking and servicing where appropriate (see also policy TC7); and

(f) not conflict with other priorities for land identified in the Plan.

In addition to the Town and Local Centres, the Council will encourage new shopping development serving local needs in areas lacking shops like Nine Elms, and in particular other riverside areas where demand is expected to increase as a result of major employment or residential development. The provision of limited new or expanded local shopping facilities, including those associated with petrol filling stations may also be acceptable elsewhere except where their scale, nature and location would have an unacceptable effect on existing shopping facilities (see policy S12).

Large-scale retail developments should normally provide a range of customer facilities as appropriate, including:

(a) customer toilets;

(b) facilities for people with disabilities including toilets, reserved parking spaces, level or ramped access, and where appropriate shopmobility;

(c) facilities for people with young children, including a baby changing area, a baby feeding area and children’s play area, preferably supervised;

(d) conveniently located dropping off/collecting point and parking space for community transport service vehicles, preferably adjacent to a seated waiting area;

(e) facilities for taxis, mini-cabs, and mini-cab offices where appropriate;

(f) customer seating and public telephones;

(g) litter bins;

(h) cycle parking facilities; and

(i) facilities for the collection of recyclable/reusable materials sold at the premises;

The layout, form and design of new shopping developments or expansion of existing premises should respect the scale and character of their surroundings in line with policies TBE1-17, and adequately provide for the needs of people with disabilities. Development should allow for the safe and convenient access and passage of pedestrians and cyclists, and provide appropriate servicing and parking arrangements. Car parks should be designed to fit into the existing townscape. They should normally avoid interrupting important built frontages.

Proposals for new shopfronts and signs should have regard to the following:

(a) the design of new shopfronts (including the position and proportions of door openings, glazed areas and other features) should relate to the scale, proportion and appearance of the building;

(b) original architectural features which contribute to a building's character should not be destroyed, damaged or concealed by the installation of a new shopfront or shop sign;

(c) the retention and restoration of existing shopfronts that make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the building will be sought; in conservation areas original shopfronts and surrounds should be retained and their reinstatement where they have been removed will be encouraged;

(d) the installation of fascias which are inappropriate to a building in terms of length, width, depth or materials, or which extend uninterrupted across more than one building will be resisted;

(e) the loss of independent access to upper floors will be resisted; any access to upper floors should form an integral part of the design of the shopfront;

(f) new shopfronts should be designed to allow access for people with disabilities;

(g) the number of signs on a shop should normally be limited to one fascia sign and one projecting sign;

(h) fascia signs should not extend above ground floor level, and projecting or hanging signs should not normally be below fascia level or above first floor cill level;

(i) the installation of internally illuminated box fascias or projecting box signs which adversely affect the character of conservation areas, or whose materials, colours or proportions are out of keeping with the building, and any illumination which might affect the amenity of residential property will be resisted. Conditions will be applied where appropriate to control the level and timing of illumination;

(j) the installation of fixed blinds which adversely affect the character of older style buildings or conservation areas will be resisted; and

(k) solid security shutters and intrusive shutter box housings should be avoided, and alternative security measures employed where possible.

Proposals to improve existing markets in shopping centres, the attractiveness of their environment and associated facilities, will be encouraged and generally supported.

Proposals for new off-street, covered or street markets, and car boot sales and other temporary markets, will normally be acceptable where:

(a) the scale, nature and location would not have an unacceptable effect on existing shopping facilities or the markets located within centres;

(b) there would be no adverse effect on local amenity or the general environment;

(c) adequate arrangements for customers/traders parking, servicing, storage of stalls, and storage and disposal of refuse would be provided; and

(d) there would be no unacceptable increase in traffic congestion in the area.

Changes of use of accommodation above ground floor shops and shop-type premises to offices, A3 uses, housing, leisure and community uses will be acceptable, subject to policy H1, provided that:

(a) in the case of protected shopping frontages (see policies S3-4, S6), the viability of the ground floor unit would not be adversely affected;

(b) where the proposed use is independent of the ground floor, a separate ground floor access is provided, complying with personal safety and security considerations;

(c) the amenity of any neighbouring properties would not be adversely affected (see also policy S21); and

(d) the form, layout and size of the accommodation is appropriate for its proposed use.

Mini-cab offices will normally be acceptable where:

(a) the proposal would not lead to a significant increase in traffic congestion;

(b) there would be no significant impact on the availability of on-street parking;

(c) off-street parking is provided where there otherwise is likely to be serious interference with the free flow of traffic, such as close to road junctions or where the road is especially narrow or busy;

(d) the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of adjoining uses; and

(e) the proposal would not conflict with other priority uses for land identified in the Plan.

See also policies S7, S14 and S23.

A3 (Food and Drink) Uses

Proposals for A3 uses (such as restaurants, cafes, hot food take away shops, pubs and wine bars), including extensions and alterations to existing premises, and "drive-through" restaurants, will normally be acceptable provided that:

(a) the proposal would not have an unacceptable impact on local amenity and the general environment, taking into account the size, characteristics and type of use proposed, the nature of the area, the number and size of other A3 and similar uses in the immediate area and the likely cumulative effect;

(b) the proposed hours of opening would be acceptable;

(c) adequate sound insulation is provided where appropriate, to safeguard the amenity of adjoining residential uses;

(d) adequate noise containment measures are included where noise and disturbance from inside the premises would otherwise be likely to have an unacceptable effect on the amenity of adjoining property and the area generally. This may include control over folding doors;

(e) the proposal would not have an unacceptable effect on car parking, traffic congestion, and the free and safe flow of traffic, taking into account the size, characteristics and type of use proposed, the nature of the area, road capacity, parking conditions, the number and size of other A3 and similar uses in the immediate area and their likely cumulative effect and, especially in the case of proposals likely to generate large numbers of customers, whether the location is well served by public transport;

(f) there would not be an unacceptable effect on residential amenity through noise and disturbance late at night, particularly arising from car use;

(g) a shopfront would be provided/retained where required by the Plan's policies;

(h) adequate ventilation, waste disposal and litter arrangements appropriate to the location can be provided satisfactorily;

(i) in the case of drive-through facilities, the layout of the site and the vehicular circulation arrangements will not have an adverse impact on the amenity of adjoining property and the area generally, including effects on air pollution and pedestrian safety;

(j) access and facilities for people with disabilities are provided where practicable; and

(k) the proposal would not conflict with other policies in the Plan, particularly those related to protected shopping frontages and Important Local Parades (policies S3-4 and S6).

The use of garden areas, forecourts and pavements in association with A3 uses will be acceptable where:

(a) it would not have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of adjoining property and the area generally, taking into account the size and type of the proposal, the hours of use proposed and the nature and character of the area; and

(b) in the case of the use of pavements, the width of the footway is adequate to allow this without obstructing or prejudicing satisfactory pedestrian flow, and the use is arranged so as not to be a hazard to people with disabilities (blind, partially sighted and wheelchair users) and other pedestrians. This may require a suitable means of enclosure to demarcate the extent of the use.