Infrastructure Delivery Plan (Feb 2013) - Runnymede Borough Council

with sufficient public transport provision, although bus services could be
improved.
• In 2009, there was a low vacancy rate in the centre.
14.6 Overall, whilst each of the three main towns in the Borough (Egham, Chertsey and
Addlestone) were considered to provide for residents’ main food shopping needs, it
was found that none of the towns provided choice. It was also concluded that none of
the major towns were significant comparison goods shopping destinations. Instead,
considerable expenditure on these goods was lost to other centres, mostly to Staines
and Woking. Addlestone was found to buck the trend to a degree by providing a limited
offer in some categories, notably electrical goods and china, glass and utensils. Overall
however, the role of the Borough’s town centres was concluded to be to provide
convenience goods shopping and a range of services.
14.7 It was also concluded that none of the centres in the Borough are ever likely to
compete with the comparison goods offer available in other nearby centres. As such,
the recommendation was that existing centres should build on their existing strengths:
convenience goods, retailing and services; presented in an easily accessible, pleasant
environment. In addition however it was considered that there is scope in Addlestone
and Chertsey to achieve greater synergy between the existing food stores and the rest
of their respective town centres.
14.8 It is also considered particularly noteworthy to mention that the Runnymede Retail
Study (2009) also highlighted the particular influence of the Tesco Store in Addlestone
on the Borough as a whole.
14.9 Even though the retail study was carried out over 3 years ago, it is considered that the
conclusions noted in the above paragraphs still apply to the Borough’s main centres
today.
Local Plan
14.10 The location policies in the Local Plan (LP01-LP08), confirm where new development is
expected in the Borough over the plan period. Development would largely be focussed
in the Borough’s Urban Areas and at the DERA site in Longcross. LP03, LP04, LP06
and LP07 are considered to be of particular relevance as they focus on development in
the Boroughs 4 main centres (Addlestone, Egham/Englefield Green, Chertsey and
Virginia Water). LP08 outlines the vision for the former DERA site.
14.11 When considering these policies in more detail, LP03 promotes Addlestone as an area
for ‘new town centre development’, envisaging this location as taking ‘the majority of
new growth over the early period of this plan’. A mixed use town centre development is
envisaged on the vacant site adjacent to the existing Council Offices which could act as
a catalyst for future regeneration opportunities in the town.
14.12 LP04 is concerned with development in the Egham/Englefield Green Area. Whilst
making specific reference to Royal Holloway University of London, this policy
encourages development whilst ensuring that future proposals coming forward would
respect the existing form and function of the centre.
14.13 LP06 is concerned with development in Chertsey Urban Area and seeks to protect its
unique status in the Borough by controlling new development so that it, ‘is appropriate
in scale, form and appearance to the existing historic character of the town centre and
appearance of Chertsey’.
14.14 LP07 is concerned with development in Virginia Water Urban Area. It promotes its
continued protection as a high quality environment supported by its current mix of uses
found in the existing village centre. Its enhancement through the introduction of a
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Runnymede IDP DRAFT – February 2013