CONTEXT AND JUSTIFICATION

This policy puts in place a single framework for all retail developments of over 1,000 square metres gross floorspace, if principally for the sale of food and convenience goods, and over 2,000 square metres gross floorspace, if principally for the sale of non-food products, including extensions to existing or already-consented developments which exceed these figures either individually or cumulatively. It is intended to cover all forms of retail development, including very large single non-food units, retail warehouse clubs, and factory outlets/centres. It embraces in-centre, edge-of-centre and out-of-centre developments, subject to the over-riding precedence of the sequential approach set out in policy SC 2: The Sequential Approach for Retail and Commercial Leisure Developments.

The policy is in two parts. Part [A] covers recognised opportunities that are contained in the first part of schedule SC(iii), because they address a clear requirement identified in the assessments undertaken for this Plan. These proposals generally observe the sequential approach. Part [B] sets out criteria whereby all other proposals will be assessed, including current consents or approvals listed in the second part of schedule SC(iii) if and when these fall due for renewal. Proposals of over 2,500 square metres gross floorspace will normally be expected to comply with all of the relevant criteria, while smaller proposals will be expected to adhere to them generally.

Large-scale retail development (over 5,000 square metres gross floorspace, where principally for the sale of food and convenience goods, or over 10,000 square metres gross floorspace, where principally for the sale of non-food products) are likely, in their scale and potential impact, to have implications for the pattern of retailing across a wide area. It is intended, therefore, that a reassessment of the contents of schedule SC(iii) will be carried out through a formal update process at regular intervals, both as part of a full 4-yearly review of the Plan and mid-way between full reviews, allowing the position to be reassessed at 2-yearly intervals. Meanwhile, applications for such developments will be assessed in accordance with part [B] of this policy.

Any application for a retail development of over 1,000 square metres gross floorspace (food)/2,000 square metres gross floorspace (non-food), not included in schedule SC(iii), should be accompanied by supporting information sufficient to allow the planning authority to determine whether the relevant criteria are complied with. The level of detail required will be dependent on the scale of the proposal (see Supplementary Guide SG 3: Retail Assessments). Failure to provide adequate supporting information may result in refusal of the application. The Joint Structure Plan Manager proposes to produce guidelines for the provision of such information.

[A] The recognised opportunities for retail development contained in part 1of schedule SC(iii) accord with this Plan.

[B] Any application for a food store of over 1,000m² gross retail floorspace, or any other retail development of over 2,000m² gross retail floorspace, not corresponding to a recognised opportunity contained in part 1 of schedule SC(iii), will be assessed against the under-noted criteria:

All developments

 

(a) accordance with national planning guidance, the policies of the Joint Structure Plan and the development policy principles, supplementary guidance and other policies of the Plan;

 

(b) evidence that an appropriate sequential approach to site selection, as set out in policy SC2, has been followed;

 

(c) availability of good existing or potential access to the proposed development by the appropriate catchment population (including disabled persons), by a variety of means of transport including by public transport, by cycle and by foot, in accordance with the principles set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 17: Transport and Planning (NPPG17). Any such improvements to fulfil this criterion which require to be the subject of developer contributions shall be governed by appropriate conditions and/or binding agreements;

 

(d) ability of the existing physical infrastructure to support the development, failing which, ability to create or improve the required infrastructure, if necessary as an integral element of the development involving developer contributions and governed by appropriate conditions and/or binding agreements; and

 

(e) assurance that the development will not cause or exacerbate unacceptable environmental consequences or cause loss of amenity to nearby residents.

 

Developments located in, or on the edge of, any tier 1 - 4 centre

 

(f) the scale, type and appropriateness of the development in relation to the centre concerned, having equal regard to the extent, scale, type, quality, variety and distribution of existing and consented facilities serving the appropriate catchment;

 

(g) the development’s potential impact, including cumulative impact, on that and other tier 1-4 centres; and

 

(h) the development’s contribution to the improvement of the centre, including the implementation of a Centre Action Plan.

 

Developments located outwith any tier 1 - 4 centre, where justified under policy SC2

 

(i) the adequate availability of retail expenditure in respect of the appropriate catchment, having equal regard to the extent, scale, type, quality, variety and distribution of existing and consented facilities;

 

(j) the development’s potential impact, including cumulative impact, on any tier 1 - 4 centre;

 

(k) assurance that the development will not adversely affect measures in support of a town centre or jeopardise the implementation of a Centre Action Plan;

 

(l) potential to integrate different types of retailing and other related uses and avoidance of sporadic development; and

 

(m) location in, or readily accessible from, the residential area(s) served, in preference to industrial or other non-residential neighbourhoods, except where specifically intended to serve places of employment.

SCHEDULE SC(iii): OPPORTUNITIES FOR RETAIL DEVELOPMENT

Part 1 of this schedule lists recognised opportunities for the development of food stores of over 1,000 square metres gross floorspace, and non-food developments of over 2,000 square metres gross floorspace. Where a planning application for a development corresponding to any of the opportunities listed in this part of the schedule is required, it will be favourably considered in terms of policy SC 4 part [A], subject to the satisfactory resolution of all relevant matters including appropriate criteria of policy SC 4 part [B] (see notes 1, 2 and 3 below).

Part 2 lists other current unimplemented consents for development in the same categories, as at September 2001. Where any consent listed in this part of the schedule falls due for renewal, the application will be considered on the basis of all relevant policies of the Plan, including the criteria of policy SC 4 part [B].

Schedule SC(iii) Part 1

1. The proposal for a food superstore in, or on the edge of, the City Centre will require to satisfy the terms of policy SC 4, part [B], criteria (a), (c), (d), (e) and (h).

2. Specific proposals to meet the requirement for additional floorspace in the Springburn area will require to satisfy the terms of policy SC 4, part [B], all criteria except (f), (for in, or edge-of-centre, proposals) or (I), (for out-of-centre proposals).

3. The proposal for the expansion of Pollok Town Centre (excluding a retail park) will require to satisfy the terms of policy SC 4 , part [B], particularly criteria (f) and (g).

4. The terms ‘restricted’ and ‘unrestricted’ in relation to retail warehousing proposals refer to whether such developments are, or are not, restricted to the sale of bulky household goods.