Development Management Policies - Direction of ... - Islington Council

7 Shops, Leisure and Services
iii) the premises has been vacant for a period of at least 2 years and marketing evidence
for this 2 year vacancy period is provided and demonstrates there is no realistic prospect of
the unit being used for retail (Use Class A1);
iv) the proposed use would support the retail function and character of the town centre, and
its vitality and viability;
v) the proposed use would provide a service to shoppers, and
vi)
the proposed use on the ground floor would provide an active frontage.
C. In judging the acceptability of proposals for non-retail uses the council will have regard
to all of the following criteria:
i) the number of similar uses in and around the area, and their accessibility for all users;
ii)
the compatibility of the proposed use with the shopping frontage, and
iii) the impact on the physical environment, including any impacts on the appearance of the
frontage.
7.0.18 Achieving the right balance of retail and non-retail uses within Islington's town centres is
critical to ensuring their vitality and viability. For this reason it is important that a ‘critical
mass’ of retailing uses is maintained within the primary shopping areas of the borough’s
town centres. Outside these areas, there is more scope to introduce other town centre
uses, providing greater opportunities for flexibility and a diversity of uses in the interests
of maintaining and enhancing a town centre’s vitality and viability.
7.0.19 The primary and secondary frontages are set out on the Proposals Map and Appendix 2.
Within the primary frontage, retail is the principal and dominant land use. Primary shopping
frontages contain the most important shopping facilities which attract the greatest number
of customers and which contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of the centre. Secondary
frontages support the retail function of the primary frontage of the centre. Within the primary
and secondary frontages, the council will not support uses that do not complement and
maintain the surrounding retail character. The council will seek to retain all class A1 uses
within the primary frontages and maintain a continuous retail frontage. Within the secondary
frontages there may be more flexibility about the proportion of non-A1 uses that will be
permitted as it is recognised that town centres should perform a function beyond retail to
ensure vitality and viability of these places. Suitable non-retail uses may include banks,
building societies, job centres, small service offices, advice centres, clinics and other health
and welfare services, theatres, restaurants and community uses which are appropriate to
a town centre.
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Islington Council Development Management Policies - Direction of Travel