Retail Impact Assessment

Local Planning application requirements

Guidance

Retail Impact Assessments should include quantitative and qualitative merits of the proposal when tested against national and local planning policies. In particular, it should consider the scale of the proposal, assess the effect of the scheme on existing centres within the locality and its wider catchment area and examine the qualitative improvements that would result from the scheme, if approved.

When required

Required for all retail and leisure developments over 2,500 sqm gross floor space, and may be required for smaller developments which are likely to have a significant impact on smaller centres.

Impact assessments should also be provided for applications for other main town centre uses when they are in an edge of centre or out of centre location and not in accordance with the local plan.

Policy/drivers

• Policies S.TC1, D.TC2, and D.TC3 of the LBTH Local Plan 2031 (January 2020) 
• London Plan (2016), Policy 4.7 Retail and Town Centre Development 
• Intend to Publish London (2019), Policy SD7 Town Centres: Development Principles and Development Plan Documents 
• National Planning Policy Framework paragraph 89 and Planning Practice Guidance paragraphs 14 to18.