NPPF TC3: Main town centre uses outside town centres

TC3: Main town centre uses outside town centres 1. A sequential test should be applied to proposals for main town centre uses for which planning permission is required, where these are neither in an existing centre nor in accordance with an allocation for that purpose in an up-to-date development plan. 2. The sequential test means that main town centre uses involving new development should be located within town centres identified in the development plan; then, if this is not feasible, in edge of centre locations; and only if suitable sites are not available (or expected to become available within a reasonable period) should out of centre sites be considered. When considering edge of centre and out of centre locations, preference should be given to accessible sites which are well connected to the town centre by sustainable transport modes. 3. Applicants and local planning authorities should exercise flexibility when considering issues such as format and scale, so that opportunities to utilise suitable town centre or edge of centre sites are fully explored. 4. Where a development proposal fails to satisfy the sequential test, or is likely to have a significant adverse impact on one or more of the considerations in policy TC4, it should be refused. 5. This sequential test does not apply to applications for small scale rural offices or other small scale rural development.