Retail Impact Assessment submission requirements

For the purposes of this policy, developers will be expected to submit a Retail Impact Assessment (RIA) for retail proposals and alternative impact assessment for other main town centre uses. Whilst the primary objective of this policy is to protect centres it is acknowledged that retail uses have distinct features or attributes which require bespoke assessments. Overarching regional policy and Policy RET2 of the Plan Strategy requires that retail impacts be assessed with respect to all main town centre uses outside existing centres. Retail impact assessments are relevant to retail proposals. Other main town centre uses (including leisure/entertainment, offices, arts, culture and tourism) will also require impact testing. These "alternative" impact assessments are required to gauge the potential impacts of proposals for main town centre uses, outside existing centres, on the vitality and viability of existing centres i.e. Belfast City Centre and the District and Local Centres. The scope and detail of the impact assessments will need to be agreed by the council prior to submission.