SPPS Strategic Planning Policy Statement Edition 2 (December 2025)·Page 100·6.287
Sequential test for main town centre uses
A sequential test must be applied to planning applications for main town centre uses not in existing centres and not in accordance with an up-to-date Local Development Plan. Applications on less sequentially preferred sites should be refused if alternative sites exist.
A sequential test should be applied to planning applications for main town centre uses that are not in an existing centre and are not in accordance with an up-to-date LDP. Where it is established that an alternative sequentially preferable site or sites exist within a proposal's whole catchment, an application which proposes development on a less sequentially preferred site should be refused.
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