Question 7: Which of the three Policy Options do you prefer? Please specify why you consider that this approach is best suited for managing primary shopping frontages within the town centre. Or do y

Comment

Representation ID: 1996

Received: 22/01/2016

Respondent: Burges Estate Residents Association

On balance Option B is to be preferred for providing the greatest flexibility in what is a fast changing situation. There is also the question mark about one or two centres. The plan makes implicit reference to reinforcing routes to the two main areas which suggests that the middle might become less of a Class A1 retail use. Overall while there is a case for upgrading and improving the shopping environment both in terms of public space and retail stores, the overall volume of retail space should not increase.

Object

Representation ID: 2303

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: Indigo Planning

Agent: Royals Shopping Centre

Three policy options are presented which seek to maintain a prosperous retail centre. In the first instance, further clarity is required as to how the length of frontage should be calculated when assessing the percentage of A1 units.

Support

Representation ID: 2304

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: Indigo Planning

Agent: Royals Shopping Centre

Valad (Europe) support Option C as it will allow for more restaurant (A3) uses which the town centre is currently lacking. More A3 uses will increase footfall and linked trips and support the night time economy thus adding to the vitality and viability of the town centre. Further flexibility should be built into this policy to allow other town centre appropriate uses to be permitted providing there is not an over concentration of these uses within a certain length of the frontage.
It is widely acknowledged that the nature of retail is changing. It must be acknowledged that retail frontage policy needs to change, to allow capacity for other, new innovative uses, as well as other leisure and supporting uses which will create vitality in the borough's centres.

Comment

Representation ID: 2305

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: Indigo Planning

Agent: Royals Shopping Centre

The Council should also consider directing new large comparison retail developments onto existing car parks in order to help strengthen the town centre and prevent it from going into decline. This would achieve the town centre first approach to retail of the NPPF. Car parking could then be re-provided in the form of under croft or multi storey parking facilities. This would assist in relieving pressure on existing parking facilities whilst bolstering the town centre, thus enhancing its vitality and viability.

Comment

Representation ID: 2319

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: A Bowhill

It is clear (paras 47 & 48) that vacancy is higher than the average national town centre rate. While this may partly be as a result of the high level of vacancies in the Victoria Shopping Centre, inspection shows that there are also many vacant units in the High Street itself. In relation to this the increasing flexibility with regard to non-retail floor space set out in policy options DS1a-c provides a pragmatic approach to ensuring vacant units are used in an appropriate way, particularly for restaurant use.

Support

Representation ID: 2320

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: A Bowhill

DS1a-c provides a pragmatic approach to ensuring vacant units are used in an appropriate way, with each option providing greater flexibility. Policy DS1c is to be supported as it provides the greatest flexibility, thus allowing more restaurants. The increase in the number of restaurants and cafes are to be welcomed as they will encourage shoppers to remain longer.

Support

Representation ID: 2335

Received: 15/02/2016

Respondent: Belfairs Gardens Residents Association

Option B supported.

Comment

Representation ID: 2387

Received: 12/02/2016

Respondent: Procuresure Consulting

Quality restaurants should be promoted in the area and quiet bars should also be promoted instead of chain sports bars which degrade the area. Bars etc should not be concentrated in one area as this will again cause degradation and poor maintenance. This never works and if you look at union street in Plymouth and Botchergate in Carlisle a concentration of Lively bars ruins an area, promoting drugs, prostitution and dilapidated buildings.