Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

Policy SSA 16 - The Retail HierarchyThe hierarchy of retail centres in the Southern Strategy Area isdefined as follows:1. Principal Town Centres: Pontypridd and Llantrisant (IncludingTalbot Green);2. Key Settlements: Llanharan and Tonyrefail;3. Local and Neighbourhood Centres: Church Village (Centre);Llantrisant Old Town, Pontyclun, Rhydyfelin, Taffs Well, Tonteg(Precinct), Treforest and Tyn-y-Nant.Proposals for retail development or changes of use to retail usesinside the defined boundaries, which would maintain or enhance acentres position in the retail hierarchy will be permitted.6.163. The centre at the head of the hierarchy for Rhondda Cynon Taf is theregional centre of Cardiff City centre. This has good road and rail accessfrom most parts of the Plan area, and is the main destination foroccasional comparison (non-food) shopping.6.164. The principal town centres of Pontypridd and Llantrisant (including TalbotGreen) are expected to perform a sub-regional retail role, principallyserving the residents of the Ely and Rhondda Fawr valleys in the case ofLlantrisant / Talbot Green, and the Taff and Rhondda Fach valleys in thecase of Pontypridd (although there are no rigid divisions). The emphasis inthe principal town centres will be on a good balance between comparison(non-food) and convenience (food) shopping.6.165. The key settlement centres of Llanharan and Tonyrefail are expected toact as district centres, where the emphasis will be on convenience (food)shopping with an element of day-to-day comparison (non-food) shopping.Policy SSA 17 - Retail Development in the RetailCentres of Principal Towns and Key SettlementsNew and improved retail (Class A1) facilities and other uses that areappropriate within the town centre will be permitted within the retailcentre of Pontypridd where:1. The proportion of other Class A2 or A3 units does not rise above25% of frontage length of the defined primary shopping area;2. The number of frontage lengths and distribution of other Class A2or A3 uses in the frontages do not create an over-concentration ofuses detracting from its established retail character;3. The proposed use will provide a direct service to visitingmembers of the general public and generate sufficient day timeand evening pedestrian activity to avoid creating an area ofrelative inactivity in the shopping frontage;4. The proposal does not prejudice the effective use of upperfloors, retaining any existing separate access to upper floors; and5. The proposal will retain or provide a shop front with a displayfunction and entrances which relate well to the design of thehost building and to the streetscene and its setting, in terms ofits materials, form and proportion.Within the defined retail centres of Llanharan and Tonyrefaildevelopment proposals for Class A1, A2, A3 and other uses that willadd vitality and viability to the retail centre by attracting foot fall thatbenefits the daytime and evening economy will be permitted.110Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future