Justification for Primary Retail Area Policy

This policy provides a clear area of consolidated retail use based on where there is a high representation of A1 retail use to promote a strong and competitive retail core. The primary retailing offering around the two main shopping centres Victoria Square and Castlecourt will continue to be developed. The designation of the primary retail area and Primary Retail Frontage (PRF) will be defined spatially within the LPP. However, too extensive an area may lead to further vacancy undermining the objective of strengthening the retail focus. A strong and compact area can be supported to prevent fragmentation of active frontages, disruption to footfall and dilution of retail services. For clarity the frontage of a shopping street applies to the building length of that side of the street in question and extends along the distance of the street that bears the same name. For measurement purposes the distance excludes gaps between buildings e.g. other streets, service lanes. Subdivision and amalgamation of commercial units will be managed through planning conditions to avoid materially diminishing character and value of the retail offering. To support and sustain centre's long term viability is unlikely to depend on retail use alone. This policy seeks to enhance the diversity, quality and viability of offering in the city. The retail health check has identified that retailing currently accounts for 60% of uses excluding vacancies. By managing the retail and non-retail uses so that less than 40% are in non-retail use, the policy provides flexibility for diversity of use to supplement retailing provision with leisure, hospitality and entertainment.