Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future

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Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future realm. Draft Local Plan Parades and Local Shops Proposals which result in the loss of local shops, without appropriate alternative provision will not be supported, unless it is has been demonstrated that there is no reasonable prospect of the use being retained. New Convenience Shops New convenience shops within existing communities or as part of new development will be encouraged provided they are of an appropriate scale and enhance the public realm. Other Community and Social Infrastructure Proposals which result in the loss of community and social infrastructure, without appropriate alternative provision, will not be supported, unless it is has been demonstrated that there is no reasonable prospect of the use being retained. Justification 386. District Centres provide services and goods to their local communities and in the hierarchy of town centres are second tier to the main town centres of Solihull, Shirley and Chelmsley Wood. Castle Bromwich has been identified as the only District Centre in the Borough, the centres in Knowle, Dorridge, Balsall Common function as ‘local centres’ which service the communities immediately around them and reduce the need to travel for staple purchases. 387. Local Centres typically include a convenience shop or a small supermarket; they may also have newsagents, pharmacy, local café/restaurants, hot food takeaways, small office and may also be a popular location for independent retailers. 388. In terms of function, local centres add considerably to the quality of life, and the Council considers it is important to retain the vitality of the local centres, even though permitted development rights mean the Council now has limited control over changes of use. 389. Solihull has a number of local centres of varying size which act as a focus and provide key services for the communities they serve (which can also include the surrounding rural area of those centres outside the conurbation). 390. While shopping habits change and evolve, the Council will enable a broad range of facilities of a suitable scale in local centres and will expect good design that respects local character and enhances the local public realm. 391. There are numerous local parades and freestanding small shops throughout the Borough. Local parades and shops provide for the day to day needs, as well as offering a place for informal interaction and thereby contributing to health and well-being of the community. The Council will seek to sustain and encourage these valued facilities and services, particularly in rural areas where this would reduce the ability of the community to meet its day to day needs. Solihull MBC - 128 - November 2016
Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future Draft Local Plan 392. Small scale local shops and services providing for local needs on a daily basis can be particularly important in rural areas where access to larger centres may be more difficult without car access. 393. Where proposals are submitted that would lead to the loss of local facilities without there being appropriate alternative provision, it will be expected that applicants will demonstrate that there is no reasonable prospect of the use being retained. This may include demonstrating that the premises have been appropriately marketed to retain the existing use. 394. The provision of facilities will be expected to support sustainable development principles and meet the requirements of other relevant parts of the plan, including Policy P15 that seeks to secure design quality. Challenges and Objectives Addressed by the Policy A C D H Reducing inequalities in the Borough Sustaining the attractiveness of the Borough for people who live, work and invest in Solihull Securing sustainable economic growth Increasing accessibility and encouraging sustainable travel Policy P20 Provision for Open Space, Childrens Play, Sport, Recreation and Leisure A Existing public open space, children’s play, sports and recreational facilities: The Council will support proposals which will contribute towards the enhancement of existing recreational facilities; children’s play and open space. Existing facilities that are of value to the local community for recreation, visual amenity, nature conservation or that make an important contribution to the quality of the environment or network of green infrastructure will be protected, unless: • it can be evidenced clearly that the open space or facilities are surplus to requirements and are no longer required to meet local need • the proposed development provides equivalent or better replacement open space, sport, or recreation facilities in size, quality and accessibility within an accessible location for existing and potential new users; or • the development results in a substantial community benefit that clearly outweighs the harm resulting from the loss of the existing open space/facilities. Where existing provision is not being protected then the Council will require appropriate compensatory measures. Enhancement of open space or buildings shall be in accordance with Policy P15 – Securing Design Quality and Policy P10 – Natural Environment. The Council supports the principle of designating land as Local Green Space, including designation within Neighbourhood Plans. Where designation would be appropriate, necessary and where the open space meets the criteria outlined in national guidance. B Provision of new public open space, children’s play, sports and recreational facilities: The Council will seek to secure well-designed new and improved open space and their maintenance as an integral part of new residential (including care homes), commercial Solihull MBC - 129 - November 2016
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Reviewing the Plan for Solihull’s Future

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