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8. SHOPPING AND OTHER USES IN TOWN AND VILLAGE CENTRES
   
Policy S1 Locations For Shopping Development Throughout the District
Policy S2 Chesham, Amersham-on-the-Hill and Chalfont St Peter District Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map - Additional Shopping Floorspace
Policy S3 The Local Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map Additional Shopping Floorspace
Policy S4 Change of Use to Class A1 Shop - Ground Floors - All Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S5-CH Chesham District Shopping Centre: - Principal Shopping Frontages And Other Shopping Frontages As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
Policy S5-AH Shopping Frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Amersham-on-the-Hill as Defined on the Proposals Map - Changes of Use To, or Between, Non Class A1 Shop Uses on Ground Floors
Policy S5-CSP Chalfont St Peter District Shopping Centre: - Principal Shopping Frontages And Other Shopping Frontages As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
Policy S6 (Policy Deleted) Area for Safeguarding Retail Uses in Chesham Town Centre as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S7 Shopping Frontages in the Local Shopping Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map - Changes of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses on Ground Floors
Policy S7A Use of Conditions Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy S8 Chalfont St Giles as Defined on the Proposals Map - Changes of Use on Ground Floors Policy removed as from 28th September 2007
Policy S9 Uses on Upper Floors in District and Local Shopping Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S10 Residential Uses on Ground Floors in the Local Shopping Centres of Amersham Old Town, and Chalfont St Giles 192c as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S10A Changes of Use on Ground and Upper Floors in High Street, Great Missenden as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S11 Shop Fronts Throughout the District
Policy S12 Rear Servicing in Chesham and Amersham-on-the-Hill District Shopping Centres as Defined on the Proposals Map
Policy S13 Small Scale Shopping Developments Outside District and Local Centres in Built-up Areas Excluded From the Green Belt
Policy S14 Other Shopping Developments Outside District and Local Centres in Built-up Areas Excluded From the Green Belt
 
  Locations For Shopping Development Throughout The District
  POLICY S1
  Shopping development will be concentrated in the District Shopping Centres of Chesham, Amersham-on-the-Hill and Chalfont St Peter and the Local Shopping Centres of Great Missenden, Amersham Old Town, Little Chalfont, Chalfont St Giles, Prestwood and Holmer Green as defined on the Proposals Map. With the exception of development in accordance with Policies S10A, S13, S14, GB23 and GB29 shopping development anywhere else in the District, will not be permitted.
  In this Policy and Policies S2 to S10, S13, and S14, the terms "shopping" and "retail" mean development in Class A1 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order, 1987.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Chesham, Amersham-on-the-Hill And Chalfont St Peter District Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map - Additional Shopping Floorspace
  POLICY S2
  In the District Shopping Centres of Chesham, Amersham-on-the-Hill and Chalfont St Peter as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will accept shopping developments which contribute to the consolidation of the Centre and strengthen its existing role.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  The Local Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map - Additional Shopping Floorspace
  POLICY S3
  In the six Local Shopping Centres listed in paragraph 8.10 and as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will resist the significant expansion of shopping floorspace. In any of these Centres, small-scale developments will be acceptable provided they strengthen rather than expand the existing shopping role of the Centre concerned.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Change Of Use To Class A1 Shop - Ground Floors - All Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY S4
  In the District and Local Shopping Centres as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will support Class A1 Shop uses on ground floors, and change of use from a non-Class A1 shop use to a Class A1 Shop use will be permitted, except in the circumstances set out in Policy S10.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Chesham District Shopping Centre; - Principal Shopping Frontages And Other Shopping Frontages As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
  POLICY S5-CH
  All Frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham Changes of use to, or between, non - Class A1 Shop uses will be permitted where the Council considers that the use proposed will make a positive contribution to, or will not detract from, the vitality and viability of that part of the District Shopping Centre of Chesham in which the proposed development is located. Uses which will be permitted are those which complement Class A1 Shop uses and attract people to the Centre by providing services direct to a large number of people, and which will not significantly harm the amenities of nearby residents and / or other users of the Centre.
  Principal Shopping Frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham
  Within the "Principal Shopping Frontages" in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham as defined on the Proposals Map, changes of use from Class A1 Shop will not be permitted except as follows. The change of use of ground floor premises to uses in Class A3 may be permitted provided that, that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located remains in predominately Class A1 Shop use and the application is acceptable with regard to the criteria in this Policy.
  Other Shopping Frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham
  In those parts of the District Shopping Centre of Chesham, which are not identified as "Principal Shopping Frontage" on the Proposals Map, the Council will allow changes of use in order to support the provision of a range of services and facilities and enhance the character and attractiveness of the Centre. Any change of use in the non principal frontage of this Centre will be assessed against the criteria in this Policy.
  In assessing applications, the Council will have regard to the following criteria:
   
  Other Shopping Frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham
  (i) the number, type and distribution of non - Class A1 Shop uses already existing in that part of the frontage where the application premises are located. Within the frontage, the proportion of non-Class A1 Shop uses should not exceed about 40% and in any case should not dominate that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located. (Criteria (ii) to (vii) also apply) If the Proposal is to provide a Class A3 food and drink use, the 40% criterion will not apply.
  All frontages in the District Shopping Centre of Chesham
  (ii) the characteristics of the proposed service or facility,
    a) particularly its attraction for shoppers and other users of the Centre;
      and
    b) its contribution to the character and appearance of the frontage in which the application site is located;
  (iii) the size of premises to be occupied, especially the width of the frontages to the street;
  (iv) the prominence of the premises for which change of use is sought;
  (v) the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell, noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the Centre. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  (vi) the availability of rear servicing where this is practicable;
  (vii) the traffic generation, highway safety aspects and car parking facilities. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with and the Council may impose conditions in accordance with Policy S7A.
  Shopping Frontages In the District Shopping Centre of Amersham on the Hill As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
  POLICY S5-AH
  All Frontages
  In the District Centre of Amersham on the Hill as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will seek to achieve a wide range of uses appropriate to the Town Centre. It will aim to balance the proportion of Class A1 Shops to non - Class A1 Shop uses by allowing changes of use which will enable the provision of a range of services and facilities and enhance the character and attractiveness of the Centre, subject to the provisions of this Policy.
  Changes of use to, or between, non - Class A1 Shop uses will be permitted where the Council considers that the use proposed will make a positive contribution to, or will not detract from, the vitality and viability of that part of the shopping centre in which the proposed development is located. Uses which will be permitted are those which complement Class A1 Shop uses and attract people to the Centre by providing services direct to a large number of people, and which will not significantly harm the amenities of nearby residents and/or users of the Centre.
  In assessing applications, the Council will have regard to the following criteria:
  (i) the number, type and distribution of non - Class A1 Shop - uses already existing in that part of the frontage where the application premises are located. Within the frontage, the proportion of non - Class A1 Shop uses should not exceed about 50% and in any case should not dominate that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located. If the proposal is to provide a Class A3 food and drink use, the 50% criterion will not apply.
  (ii) the characteristics of the proposed service or facility,
    a) particularly its attraction for shoppers and other users of the Centre;
      and
    b) its contribution to the character and appearance of the frontage in which the application site is located;
  (iii) the size of premises to be occupied, especially the width of the frontages to the street;
  (iv) the prominence of the premises for which change of use is sought;
  (v) the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell, noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the Centre. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  (vi) the availability of rear servicing where this is practicable;
  (vii) the traffic generation, highway safety aspects and car parking facilities. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with and the Council may impose conditions in accordance with Policy S7A.
  Chalfont St Peter District Centre; - Principal Shopping Frontages And Other Shopping Frontages As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
  POLICY S5-CSP
  All Frontages
  Changes of use to, or between, non - Class A1 Shop uses will be permitted where the Council considers that the use proposed will make a positive contribution to, or will not detract from, the vitality and viability of that part of the District Shopping Centre of Chalfont St Peter in which the proposed development is located. Uses which will be permitted are those which complement Class A1 Shop uses and attract people to the Centre by providing services direct to a large number of people, and which will not significantly harm the amenities of nearby residents and/or users of the centre.
  Principal Shopping Frontages
  Within the "Principal Shopping Frontages" in the District Shopping Centre of Chalfont St Peter as defined on the Proposals Map, changes of use from Class A1 Shop will not be permitted except as follows. The change of use of ground floor premises to uses in Class A3 may be permitted provided that, that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located remains in predominately Class A1 Shop use and the application is acceptable with regard to the criteria in this Policy.
  Other Shopping Frontages
  In those parts of the District Shopping Centre of Chalfont St Peter, which are not identified as "Principal Shopping Frontage" on the Proposals Map, the Council will allow changes of use in order to support the provision of a range of services and facilities and enhance the character and attractiveness of the Centre. Any change of use in the non principal frontage of this Centre will be assessed against the criteria in this Policy with the exception of Criterion (i) which does not apply.
  In assessing applications, the Council will have regard to the following criteria:
    Principal Shopping Frontages
  (i) the number, type and distribution of non - Class A1 Shop uses already existing in that part of the Principal Shopping Frontage where the application premises are located. Within the frontage, the proportion of non Class A1 Shop uses should not exceed about 15% and in any case should not dominate that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located. (Criteria (iii) to (viii) also apply)
    Other Frontages
  (ii) the number, type and distribution of non-Class A1 Shop uses in that part of the Shopping frontage where the application site is located. Concentrations of uses within a particular Use Class should be avoided. (Criteria (iii) to (viii) also apply)
    All frontages
  (iii) the characteristics of the proposed service or facility,
    a) particularly its attraction for shoppers and other users of the Centre;
      and
    b) its contribution to the character and appearance of the frontage in which the application site is located;
  (iv) the size of premises to be occupied, especially the width of the frontages to the street;
  (v) the prominence of the premises for which change of use is sought;
  (vi) the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell, noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the Centre. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  (vii) the availability of rear servicing where this is practicable;
  (viii) the traffic generation, highway safety aspects and car parking facilities. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with and the Council may impose conditions in accordance with Policy S7A.
  POLICY S6 - DELETED
  Area For Safeguarding Retail Uses In Chesham Town Centre As Defined On The Proposals Map
  Shopping Frontages In The Local Shopping Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use To, Or Between, Non - Class A1 Shop Uses On Ground Floors
  POLICY S7
  In the Local Shopping Centres as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will aim to balance the proportion of Class A1 Shops to Non - Class A1 Shop uses in order to protect the shopping function and Character of the Centres whilst also enabling other appropriate services and facilities to be provided.
  Changes of use to, or between, non - Class A1 Shop uses will be permitted where the Council considers that the use proposed will make a positive contribution to, or w ill not detract from, the vitality and viability of that part of the shopping centre in which the proposed development is located. Uses which will be permitted are those which complement Class A1 Shop uses and attract people to the Centre by providing services direct to a large number of people, and which will not significantly harm the amenities of nearby residents and / or other users of the Centre.
  In assessing applications, the Council will have regard to the following criteria:
  (i) the number, type and distribution of non - Class A1 Shop uses already existing in that part of the frontage where the application premises are located. Within the frontage, the proportion of non - Class A1 Shop uses should not exceed about 50% and in any case should not dominate that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located. In the case of frontages in the Amersham Old Town and Chalfont St Giles Local Shopping Centres, the proportion of non - Class A1 Shop uses should not exceed 40% and in any case should not dominate that part of the shopping frontage in which the application site is located.
  (ii) the characteristics of the proposed service or facility,
    a) particularly its attraction for shoppers and other users of the centre;
      and
    b) its contribution to the character and appearance of the frontage in which the application site is located;
    the size of premises to be occupied, especially the width of the frontages to the street;
    the prominence of the premises for which change of use is sought;
    the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell, noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the centre. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
    the availability of rear servicing where this is practicable;
    the traffic generation, highway safety aspects and car parking facilities. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
    Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with and the Council may impose conditions in accordance with Policy S7A.
  Use of Conditions in the District and Local Shopping Centres
  POLICY S7A
  In granting planning permission for developments in the District and Local Shopping Centres as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council may impose conditions in order to ensure that the proposals do not harm the viability and vitality of the Centre and the amenity of residents or other uses of the Centre. Such conditions may :-
  (i) limit the use to which the premises may be put;
  (ii) require the provision and maintenance of a shop window display;
  (iii) limit opening hours;
  (iv) ensure that the proposed development does not significantly harm amenities, for example by controlling noise, fumes or vibrations.
  Chalfont St Giles As Defined On The Proposals Map - Changes Of Use On Ground Floors
  POLICY S8
  In the Local Centre of Chalfont St Giles as defined on the Proposals Map, no changes of use from Class A1 retail shops to any other use will be permitted unless the criteria in Policy S7 are complied with.
  Uses On Upper Floors In District And Local Shopping Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY S9
  Where residential uses exist on upper floors in District and Local Shopping Centres as defined on the Proposals Map, and the loss is acceptable for reasons in accordance with Policy H 9, the Council will permit change of use to uses in Use Classes A1, A2, or A3, C1, D1, D2, community uses as defined in Policies CSF1 and CSF2 and suigeneris uses which accord with clause (b) (i) in Policy H9. This clause does not apply to the Local Shopping Centres of Amersham Old Town and Chalfont St Giles.
  With the exception of uses covered by Policies E1, E4 and CSF2, changes of use to residential use and changes of use between nonresidential uses will be permitted on the upper floors in District and Local Shopping Centres.
  In addition, the Council will have regard to;
  a) the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to, the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the centre. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
    and
  b) the traffic generation, highway safety aspects and car parking facilities. These aspects need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Residential Uses On Ground Floors In The Local Shopping Centres of Amersham Old Town And Chalfont St Giles As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY S10
  The loss of existing residential accommodation on ground floors in the Local Shopping Centres of Amersham Old Town and Chalfont St Giles as defined on the Proposals Map will not be permitted, except in the circumstances outlined in Policies LB4 and CA3.
  Changes Of Use On Ground And Upper Floors In High Street, Great Missenden As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY S10A
  Within the area of High Street, Great Missenden as defined on the Proposals Map, the Council will permit:-
  1. Changes of use from uses in Use Classes A1, A2 or A3 to residential use on upper floors.
  2. Changes of use from uses in Use Classes A1, A2 or A3 to residential use on ground floors provided that where the proposed change of use is from an existing Class A1 Shop use, it can be demonstrated by the applicant that Class A1 Shop use is no longer commercially viable.
  3. Changes of use from residential use to uses in Use Classes A1, A2, A3, C1, D1, D2, community uses as defined in Policies CSF1 and CSF2 and sui-generis uses which accord with clause (b) (i) in Policy H9 on ground and/or upper floors, subject to the following:-
    a) The Council will have special regard to;
    (i) the effects on amenity, particularly with respect to, the proximity of residential accommodation, opening hours, the potential for fumes, smell, noise and disturbance to residents and other users of the centre.
      and
    (ii) the traffic generation and highway safety aspects and car parking facilities.
    Both these aspects (i and ii) need to be satisfactory if planning permission is to be granted.
    b) In the case of A2 and A3 uses, the Council may impose conditions, as appropriate, requiring the provision and maintenance of a shop window display; limiting opening hours, or controlling noise, fumes or vibrations or any other condition to ensure that the proposed development does not significantly harm the amenities of residents and or other users of the High Street.
  4. With the exception of uses covered by Policies E1, E4 and CSF2, changes of use between non-residential uses, subject to clauses 3(a) and 3(b) above.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with and the Council may impose conditions in accordance with Policy S7A.
  Shop Fronts Throughout The District
  POLICY S11
  The Council will require a high standard of design in shop fronts. In assessing applications, the Council will have regard to the scale, proportions, design details and materials of the shop front in relation to the building into which it is proposed to be installed. The Council will grant planning permission provided that the shopfront proposal conforms with the principles set out in the District Council's design guide on shopfronts which is included in this Local Plan as an Annex.
  In Conservation Areas, new shop fronts will be permitted provided that the special character or appearance of the area is preserved or enhanced. In any case where an existing shopfront does not contribute to a Conservation Area's special architectural or historic interest and a replacement shopfront is proposed, the replacement shopfront should be designed to accord with the special character or appearance of the Conservation Area in which the shopfront is located.
  In Conservation Areas and on Listed Buildings, the Council will not permit the loss of shop fronts which have special architectural or historic interest.
  This Policy applies to any premises containing a shop front throughout the District.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Rear Servicing In Chesham And Amersham-on the- Hill District Shopping Centres As Defined On The Proposals Map
  POLICY S12
  It is the Council's aim to maximise the extent of rear servicing provision and operational car parking, in Chesham Town Centre for properties fronting or adjoining the streets in which pedestrians have priority and in Amersham-on-the-Hill along the two main shopping streets of Hill Avenue and Sycamore Road.
  In this context, within each District Shopping Centre as defined on the Proposals Map, existing development will not be allowed to expand and no alternative uses will be permitted in situations where this aim would be prejudiced. In redevelopment proposals the Council will require rear servicing facilities to be provided and where appropriate, provision to be made for the improvement of servicing to existing premises.
  Where development proposals are acceptable in accordance with this Policy, other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Small Scale Shopping Developments Outside District And Local Shopping Centres In Built-Up Areas Excluded From The Green Belt
  POLICY S13
  In other parts of the built-up areas excluded from the Green Belt and lying outside of the District and Local Shopping Centres identified in Policy S1, the Council will grant planning permission for new small scale retail shopping developments in locations where a local need can be demonstrated. Small - scale is defined as a gross floor - space not exceeding 200 square metres.
  In the case of existing shops, existing Class A1 uses should be retained and changes of use or redevelopment for any other purpose will not be permitted, apart from changes of use to residential use, where it can be shown that a retail shop, particularly one selling convenience goods, is no longer commercially viable.
  This Policy does not apply in the Policy S10A area at Great Missenden.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
  Other Shopping Developments Outside District And Local Shopping Centres In Built-Up Areas Excluded From The Green Belt
  POLICY S14
  In other parts of the built-up areas excluded from the Green Belt and lying outside of the District and Local Shopping Centres identified in Policy S1, other retail developments (with a gross floor-space in excess of 200m2) will not be acceptable unless all of the following criteria are met:-
  i) the proposed development does not conflict with any of the shopping policies in the adopted Buckinghamshire County Structure Plan 1991 -2011.
  ii) the proposed development will not harm the vitality or viability of any existing District or Local Shopping Centre;
  iii) the proposed development cannot be physically accommodated on a suitable site within a District or Local Shopping Centre as identified on the Proposals Map. Where this is so, the Council will apply the sequential test to proposed development requiring edge of centre sites to be considered as the next preference, and only if no such sites are demonstrably available and suitable in planning terms, will out of centre sites be considered in the context of this Policy;
  iv) the proposed development will be readily accessible by a variety of means, including public transport; and on foot and by cycle from adjacent residential areas;
  v) the highway network will be capable of accommodating the additional traffic generated by the proposed development;
  vi) the proposed development will not add significantly to the number or length of car trips made for shopping purposes;
  vii) the proposed development will not be on land which is identified for some other purpose on the Proposals Map in this Local Plan;
  viii) the proposed development will not result in a net loss of existing dwellings or residential land, contrary to Policy H9; or of land last used for business, industrial or storage or distribution purposes, contrary to Policy E4; or be contrary to Policy CSF2.
  Other Policies in this Local Plan should also be complied with.
   
   
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