Local Requirements - Town Centre Uses Impact Assessment

Types of application or development that require this information

Applications for retail and leisure developments outside of centres, which are not in accordance with an up-to-date plan, will require an Impact Assessment where:

• The proposal provides greater than 1,500 sqm gross retail and / or leisure floorspace for Bradford City Centre.
• The proposal provides greater than 1,000 sqm gross retail and / or leisure floorspace for Keighley, Shipley, Bingley and Ilkley.
• The proposal provides greater than 500 sqm gross retail and / or leisure floorspace for District Centres.
• The proposal provides greater than 200 sqm gross retail and / or leisure floorspace for Local Centres.

What information is required?

The level and type of evidence and analysis required to address the key considerations should be proportionate to the scale and nature of the proposal.

The Impact Assessment should include an assessment of:

1. The impact of the proposal on existing, committed and planned public and private investment in a centre or centres in the catchment area of the proposal; and
2. The impact of the proposal on town centre vitality and viability, including local consumer choice and trade in the town centre area, up to five years from the time the application is made. For major schemes where the full impact will not be realised in five years, the impact should also be assessed up to ten years from the time the application is made

The scope of the assessment should be agreed prior to the submission of an application.

Policy driver

• National Planning Policy Framework - Chapter 7: Ensuring the vitality of town centres
• National Planning Practice Guidance: Town centres and retail
• Core Strategy - Policy SC4: Hierarchy of Settlements
• Core Strategy Sub Area Policy - BD1, AD1, WD1
• Core Strategy - Policy EC1: Creating a Successful and Competitive Bradford District within the Leeds City Region
• Core Strategy - Policy EC2: Supporting Business and Job Creation
• Core Strategy - Policy EC5: City, District and Local Centres