Study for Analysis of Retail Need and Town Centre Development Capacity

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) was commissioned by the East of England and South East England Regional Assemblies with support from the Government Office for London to prepare a scoping study to assess the methodologies for undertaking an analysis of retail need and town centre development capacity.

This study advises on available data sources and methodologies suitable for assessing the need for major new retail facilities within future reviews of regional planning guidance.

Study for Analysis of Retail Need and Town Centre Development Capacity - 323 KB

Town Centre Futures: The Need for Retail Development in South East England

The Regional Assembly commissioned DTZ to take forward this work and a copy of the report is provided below. The study forecasts future retail growth to 2026 taking into account known future developments. The consultants applied their Re:Map model which they have developed specifically to forecast the potential residual expenditure for new comparison floorspace.

The research showed very substantial growth in residual expenditure and development in the period to 2026 (even when the models were sensitivity tested through reducing levels of expenditure growth and increasing levels of turnover efficiency and growth of e-commerce). However, for the rest of this decade there is no significant forecast capacity when the current proposals in the South East region are taken into consideration.

Town Centre Futures: The Need for Retail Development in South East England - 2.18 MB

Town Centre Futures: Volume 2 - Appendices - 2.37 MB

Town Centre Futures: Volume 1 - Addendum - 1.52 MB

Town Centre Futures: Volume 1 - Addendum 2 - 731 KB

Town Centre Assessments

As part of its research into the analysis of town centres and retail in the South East region, the Regional Assembly has co-ordinated the completion of town centre assessments.

Assessments have been compiled for the regional, sub-regional and principle town centres within the region. The main objectives of the assessments have been to:

• To work in partnership with local authorities to assess the vitality and viability of town centres and to identify the capacity of different centres to meet the South East region's likely future needs
• To draw on existing work, ensure that data collection is as streamlined as possible, is collected in a consistent way and benefits local as well as strategic stakeholders
• To strengthen inter-regional working. The assessment form used is based on the Greater London Authority (GLA) form to allow for comparison of results with London.

The town centre assessment form and accompanying guidance note is available below and covers the following topics:

• Scale and function of town centre uses
• Capacity
• Financial performance
• Accessibility
• Town centre initiatives
• Environment and amenity.

Local authorities should use the same form as part of their assessments of other centres to ensure that information collated in South East England is as comparable and consistent as possible.

Town Centre Assessment Form - 619 KB

Town Centre Guidance Note - 62 KB

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