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Regional Development Strategy 2035 Recognition of Belfast and Town Centres
2.1.1–2.1.2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The Regional Development Strategy 2035 (RDS) recognises the Belfast Metropolitan Urban Area as the major conurbation in Northern Ireland with a thriving retail, service, administration, cultural and e
retailtown-centrecommercialnon-domesticStrategic Planning Policy Statement Town Centre First Approach
2.1.3–2.1.5Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS), published in September 2015, sets out regional planning policies for securing the orderly and consistent development of land in Northern Ireland under t
retailtown-centrecommercialnon-domesticLocal Planning Policy Framework
2.2.1–2.2.2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The Plan Strategy is the strategic policy framework, for the plan area, across a range of topics. It sets out the vision for Belfast as well as the objectives and strategic policies required to delive
retailtown-centrecommercialnon-domesticSequential test procedure overview
3.1.14Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
There are 4 key steps to follow when undertaking a sequential test: Step 1: Establish the appropriate catchment for the development Step 2: Decide which designated centres should be assessed Step 3:
retailtown-centrecommercialDefining catchment area
3.1.15Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The catchment is the area the proposal is intended to serve / draw trade from. This will vary depending on the specific development proposed and will need to take account of the size of development, t
retailtown-centrecommercialCatchment drive time requirements by retail size
3.1.16Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Catchments should be defined by detailed drive time calculation (which is determined by estimating the catchment served by, for example, a 15 minute drive time). The drive times which are appropriate
retailtown-centrecommercialOut of Centre Development - Retail Impact Assessment Requirement
RET 2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Policy RET 2 – Out of centre development Proposals for main town centre uses, outside of existing centres must: Submit a retail impact assessment and assessment of need for proposals that have a floor
retailcommercialtown-centreWhat is an impact assessment?
3.2.7Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
An impact assessment is a methodologically evidenced based approach to determine the relative effect that a proposed development will have on the wider centre hierarchy. The purpose of the impact asse
commercialretailtown-centreimpact-assessmentPurpose of the impact test
3.2.8Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The impact test is useful in determining whether proposals in certain locations would impact on existing, committed and planned public and private investment, or on the role of particular centres.
commercialretailtown-centreimpact-assessmentApplicant responsibility and consequences of non-compliance
3.2.9Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
It is for the applicant to demonstrate compliance with the impact test in support of relevant applications. Failure to undertake an impact test could constitute a reason for refusing permission.
commercialretailtown-centreimpact-assessmentProportionate approach to impact assessment
3.2.10Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
The impact test will need to be undertaken in a proportionate and locally appropriate way, drawing on existing information where possible. Ideally, applicants and the council should seek to agree the
commercialretailtown-centreimpact-assessmentWhen is an Impact Assessment required?
3.2.11Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Depending on the size and location of the proposal applicants may be required to submit either an Impact Assessment and/or Assessment of Need. The following table is intended to assist applicants in d
commercialretailtown-centreimpact-assessmentImpact assessments for office proposals
3.5.6Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
In the case of offices, it is unlikely that several the key impacts set out in policy will be directly relevant (e.g. trade diversion). In such cases, applicants should seek to agree with the council
commercialofficestown-centreBalanced decision-making for retail and town centre uses
3.5.7Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
In every case it will be necessary to reach a balanced decision, having regard to the provisions of the development plan, the sequential approach and impact considerations.
commercialretailtown-centrePolicy RET 3 – District centre first approach for major retail development
RET 3Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Policy RET 3– District centre, local centres and city corridors. Beyond the city centre a district centre first approach will apply to proposals for major retail development and other town centres use
commercialretaildistrict-centretown-centreVitality and Viability Assessment for Town Centre Uses
3.6.6Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
In respect to criterion (c) & (d), applicants will be expected to demonstrate that there is no adverse effect on the vitality and viability of centres in the catchment and that the proposal would comp
commercialtown-centreretailNon-retail frontage threshold
3.7.2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Not acceptable: More than 40% of frontage in non-retail use. Not acceptable: More than 3 adjacent units in non-retail use.
commercialtown-centreretailRestaurant and café use exemption from non-retail threshold
3.7.2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Whilst restaurant's and café's are considered to be sui-generis uses as they have no use class specified within The Planning (Use Classes) Order (Northern Ireland) 2015, for the purposes of this polic
commercialtown-centreretailRetail Hierarchy and Sequential Approach
Appendix 2Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses
Centre Type Policy Approach Primary Retail Core and Frontage: Preferred location for all retail proposals. Belfast City Centre: Preferred location for all other main town centre uses and other signif
commercialretailtown-centresequential-test