Belfast·SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses·Page 6·1.2.3
Expectation for Departure from Guidance
The council will consider unconventional or innovative retail proposals but requires detailed justification where proposals depart from the guidance. Each proposal will be assessed on its own merits.
This is not to say that unconventional or innovative proposals will not achieve planning permission, but where there is departure from the guidance the council will expect detailed justification. In seeking to support the vitality and viability of town centres and the retail offer available, the council will assess each proposal on its own merits.
Source — /Users/richardhill/Documents/planning-arch-project/data/documents/belfast/SPG009 Retail and Main Town Centre Uses.pdf