499) The Retail and Leisure Study Update 2022 recommends that centres should provide an offer that distinguishes them from other centres and out-of-centre retail and leisure destinations. The focus is therefore on making the most of a centre's individual strengths as a hub for their communities and to attract additional land uses beyond retail and leisure to help extend the 'dwell' time for those who visit. The study included recommendations for each centre and both this and the Institute of Place Management reports into Vital and Viable District Centres have informed the priorities set in the policy. The council has formed a partnership with IPM to draw on their expertise and extensive research, to review the performance of the district centres against key indicators and to produce action plans which will guide their future growth and change.

Sequential approach

‘In centre’ and ‘edge of centre’ locations for the centres listed in policy CEN 2 are defined below. To support the successful functioning of some of these centres, a more detailed sequential approach is in operation for retail and office uses where the highest priority is stated first. In respect of offices, regard will be had to policy BUS 2 and policy STC 2.

Main town centre uses proposed as part of proposals for new floorspace, extensions to existing floorspace, changes of use and applications seeking a variation to conditions shall be located in accordance with the following sequential approach:

Within the town centre and District Centres ('in centre'); then

In locations on the edge of the town centre and District Centres, with a preference for accessible sites which are well connected to the centre ('edge of centre'); and then

Out-of-centre locations, with a preference for accessible sites which are well connected to the town centre and/or District Centres.

Retail use: