NPPF TC1: Planning for town centres

TC1: Planning for town centres 1. To promote the long-term vitality and viability of town centres, development plans should, at the most appropriate level: a. Be informed by a strategy for town centres in the area, to ensure that the full range of potential needs and opportunities for development is considered. This includes the scope to accommodate additional floorspace, to broaden the mix of uses beyond main town centre uses (including residential development) where this would not undermine the vitality and viability of a centre, to strengthen or re-introduce markets, to bring vacant sites and premises back into use, and to reduce or expand the boundaries of town centres where appropriate; b. Set out the hierarchy of centres, and any areas within them where specific policies on the nature and scale of development apply, including: i. The location and extent of town centres and primary shopping areas; ii. Areas particularly suitable for a greater diversity and/or intensification of use, including through residential development; and iii. Areas within which infrastructure and public realm improvements are proposed. c. Allocate a range of suitable sites in town centres to meet the scale and type of main town centre uses needed over the plan period in these locations, as well as for any complementary uses. Before reviewing town centre boundaries to accommodate any increase in development which is needed, existing vacant town centre sites and areas that are particularly suitable for intensification should be considered to maximise effective use of land; d. Where suitable and viable town centre sites are not available to meet the anticipated need for main town centre uses, allocate appropriate edge of centre sites that are well connected to the town centre. If sufficient edge of centre sites cannot be identified, policies should set out proposals for identified needs to be met in other accessible locations that are well connected to the town centre; and e. Where appropriate, set a locally defined floorspace threshold for development proposals outside town centres, above which an impact assessment would be required, as set out in policy TC4. 44 2. Local planning authorities should consider the use of design guides, design codes and masterplans to support their vision for, and the development of, town centres. They should also consider the use of Article 4 directions to remove a permitted development right where these are justified as a means to support the vitality and viability of particular centres and maintain their character. National decision-making policies