OUT OF TOWN SHOPPING POLICY

1.0Introduction

1.1Market towns, such as Morpeth, have historically been the social and trading focal point for rural England. Their legacy of ancient streets and buildings is a fundamental part of our national heritage. However, as some of their traditional functions are gradually being eroded, there is a genuine concern about their future viability. In particular, there is widespread concern about the effects of large retail developments, particularly in non-central locations, on the economic health of market towns and quality of the environment of the centre.

1.2The responsibility for determining planning applications for large retail development, and developing policies to safeguard the vitality and viability of market towns rests with local authorities. As a statutory consultee, Morpeth Town Council has the particular responsibility to ensure that Morpeth continues to be a vital and viable town in Northumberland.

1.3The significant pressure from large retail operators to increase their market share means that smaller towns have increasingly become the focus for new store development.

1.4Given the challenges facing Morpeth and other market towns, it is critical that Morpeth Town Council develop proactive policies for the town. MTC believes that it is vital to take positive steps and adopt a cautious approach when considering the location and long-term consequences of the development of large retail development in non-central locations.

2.0Policy for Out of Town Shopping Applications

2.1Whilst all applications will be treated strictly on their merits, proposals for any retail developments but specifically those large scale developments over 2,500 square metres gross floor-space outside the Town Centre will normally only receive support if all of the following criteria are satisfied:

i)There is a proven need for the development

ii)There are no suitable sites available within the Town Centre

iii)The proposal, either by itself or together with other retail proposals or developments, will not harm the vitality or viability of the existing town centre shopping centre

iv)The traffic generated by the proposal can be accommodated safely on the local highway network

v)The proposal is sited so as to minimise the number and length of car journeys and is readily accessible to those on foot or bicycle, or who rely on public transport, and is in accordance with the Councils Equality and Diversity Policy.

vi)The proposed site is not land used or allocated for employment purposes, including industry or business uses.

vii)If an application for an out of town shopping outlet is successful, the developer should include car parking (and access for non-car uses) anyway. This should not be part of a Section 106 Agreement. Any S106 Agreement should relate entirely to community benefits.

viii)MTC will always take into account relevantNational Planning Policy (such as PPS6).

ix)Where the Council varies from the Guidelines of the MTC Policy, it will givespecific reasons.

2.2The Council will give separate consideration to businesses retailing bulky goods on existing and proposed employment sites due to the extensive nature of their land requirement. In such cases the council will expect applicants to be required to enter into a planning obligation, controlling the nature of goods for sale.

Applications will be assessed against the net number of FTE jobs created, their visual and operational impact on neighbouring businesses and their impact, including the cumulative impact with other recent or proposed retail developments, on the vitality and viability of the Town Centre as a whole.

3.0Evidence

Section / Criteria / Evidence
2.1 (i) / There is a need for the development / Check comparable retail outlets within the Town Centre against each application.
2.1 (ii) / There are no suitable sites available within the Town Centre / Check for land availability within the Town Centre
2.1 (iii) / The proposal, either by itself or together with other retail proposals or developments, will not harm the vitality or viability of the existing shopping centre / Evidence from the “Impact of Large Foodstores on Market Towns and District Centres Report” demonstrates that out of town shopping areas have a detrimental effect upon town centres both in terms of vitality and viability.
2.1 (iv) / The traffic generated by the proposal can be accommodated safely on the local highway network / Currently, Morpeth is heavily congested. To enable access/egress to sites on the edge of the Town, people will have to travel through Morpeth Town Centre.
2.1 (v) / The proposal is sited so as to minimise the number and length of car journeys for the residents of Morpeth and is readily accessible to those on foot or bicycle, or who rely on public transport / Edge of Town locations in Morpeth are currently not readily accessible to those on foot, or those who rely on public transport compared with town centre locations.
2.1 (vi) / The proposal is not located on land used or allocated for employmentpurposes, including industry or business uses / The majority of land on the edge of Morpeth is classified as “industrial”,or “greenfield”. Note should also be taken of the likely inner boundaries of he new Green Belt around Morpeth proposed in the Regional Spatial Strategy and to be created by the emerging Northumberland LDF
2.1 (vii) / If an application for an out of town shopping outlet is successful, the developer should include car parking (and access for non-car uses) anyway. This should not be part of a Section 106 Agreement. Any S106 Agreement should relate entirely to community benefits.

March 2011 – To be reviewed June 2013 Page 1