227) To ensure the usability of public realm, it should be safe. Spaces should use surrounding built form to their advantage to provide active frontages and increase natural surveillance. Appropriate lighting is also an important feature in creating safe places. However, lighting should respect local wildlife and residential uses.

Proposals for new frontages or alterations to existing frontages will be permitted provided that the proposal:

is of a high-quality design and sympathetic in scale, proportion and appearance to the host property and contributes positively to the character of the wider street scene, conservation area (if relevant) and other heritage assets;

respects existing building lines and position in relation to the curtilage;

protects and/or reinstates original and/or traditional features including shop fronts. Where shop units are the subject of a change of use, any traditional/original shop frontages shall be retained;

avoids the creation of inactive frontages, placing servicing away from street frontages (for example at the rear of buildings);

is designed to be accessible to all users; and

demonstrates that any roller shutters are essential to address a persistent problem of crime or vandalism affecting the property and that there are no satisfactory and reasonable alternative options. Externally mounted shutters or solid roller shutters must be avoided.

228) Shopfronts can have a significant impact on the character and appearance of retail/centre frontages, particularly given that it is the ground floor public frontage that pedestrians most closely interact with. Due regard therefore needs to be given to the design and appearance of the frontage and its relationship to the host property.