Central Bedfordshire Retail Study July 2017
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Central Bedfordshire Council www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk Central Bedfordshire Retail Study July 2017 - 1 - Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 1. Introduction 1.1 This is a Central Bedfordshire document which has been produced in support of the Local Plan 2015-2035 and is a requirement of the NPPF. It is part of the evidence base required to underpin the statutory plan making process and provides a review of the retail requirements within Central Bedfordshire. The study was undertaken by Peter Brett Associates (PBA) and provides an update to the Retail Study published in 2012/2013. It was updated due to the emerging national and local retail trends and the implications that these trends may have for Central Bedfordshire especially having regard to the expected growth. 1.2 As such it was considered necessary for the Retail Study Update to provide a qualitative and quantitative analysis of existing and proposed retailing and leisure uses in Central Bedfordshire and to assess the need for additional convenience and comparison retail floorspace and leisure floorspace within the main centres in Central Bedfordshire for the plan period 2015 to 2035. 2. Key Findings 2.1 Following an analysis of the emerging trends in retailing and an assessment of the need for additional convenience and comparison retail floor space and leisure floor space, the study has identified the required comparison and convenience retail floor space for Central Bedfordshire. 2.2 Having regard to the prevailing trends in retail and leisure sector towards the polarisation of the town centres, the study considered that planning for an increased market share is longer an appropriate strategy for Central Bedfordshire. This is because Central Bedfordshire is located between a number of large town centres which are highly accessible to residents and will continue to limit the proportion of expenditure retained within Central Bedfordshire. 2.3 A summary of the quantitative need for retail and commercial leisure (A3-A5) floorspace in Central Bedfordshire is set out in the table below: Table 1: Summary of quantitative need to 2035 as identified in the Retail Study Update 2016 2021 2026 2031 2035 Comparison goods (sqm net) 0 0 0 3,127 11,927 Convenience goods (sqm net) 0 0 0 0 0 Food and drink (sqm gross) 0 1,991 4,148 6,488 8,480 2.4 The Retail Study Update also undertook a town centre health check and proposed amendments to the town centre boundary. As a whole, the Study found that the town centres in Central Bedfordshire are performing well and play an important function for the local communities, in particular Leighton Buzzard and Biggleswade. Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 3. Summary of Implications 3.1 Due to Central Bedfordshire’s location between a number of larger town centres and the trends in the retail and leisure sector towards the polarisation of town centres, the Retail Study Update concluded that planning for an increased market share for comparison floorspace is no longer an appropriate strategy for Central Bedfordshire. 3.2 A large proportion of additional available expenditure is expected to come from the new population in Central Bedfordshire, including the urban extensions, where the floorspace planned is not insubstantial. However Urban extensions have long term build out rates hence the emerging comparison need at the end of the plan period. 3.3 The Retail Study Update concluded that there is no pressing need to alleviate any potential overtrading within the existing convenience floorspace, although this was dependent on the treatment of overtrading within the existing floorspace. 3.4 However, it has been decided that an increase in the convenience floorspace will be planned for due to the planned housing growth and resulting increase in population as well as the documented changes in the convenience goods sector, such as the change in store formats to smaller stores. This will allow for the town centres, service centres and large villages to provide for the existing and future local need to ensure these places are more sustainable by reducing the need for residents to travel to the large adjoining centres. As such overtrading will be included in determining the retail need thus resulting in a convenience retail need up to 2035. 3.5 Since the original Retail Study in 2012/13 there has been an increase in the leisure offer within the town centres, with a shift in some of the town centres towards more A3 uses (restaurants and cafes). This is considered positive as these uses increase dwell times in the town centres improving the vitality and viability of them. As such an increase in food and drink uses within the designated town centres and villages will be encouraged. 3.6 Given the above reasons the quantitative need as identified in the emerging Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire to 2035 will be: Table 2: Summary of quantitative need to 2035 as identified in the emerging Local Plan 2016 2021 2026 2031 2035 Comparison goods (sqm net) 0 0 0 3,127 11,927 Convenience goods (sqm net) 9,638 10,300 11,940 13,618 15,129 Food and drink (sqm gross) 0 1,991 4,148 6,488 8,480 3.7 The study proposed to amend the boundaries of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Biggleswade. The Dunstable town centre boundary has been proposed to be broadened out to incorporate the town’s leisure and education quarter that has been developed. The White Lion Retail Park remains outside the identified town centre because of the separation between it and the town centre. Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 3.8 Due to the considerable change in Houghton Regis since the Retail Study 2012/2013 was published following the opening of a major new supermarket, the primary shopping area has been amended to include the new retail development on the south of the High Street. 3.9 Although Biggleswade is considered to be performing well, the town centre boundary has been amended to reflect the changes of use away from A1 (retail). Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 Appendix A Central Bedfordshire Retail Study Update 2016 Central Bedfordshire Retail Study 2016 Update Report Peter Brett Associates November 2016 Office Address:0 16 Brewhouse Yard, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 4LJ T: +44 (0)207 566 8600 E: [email protected] Project Ref: 37990 Name Position Signature Date Prepared by Ashleigh Cook Graduate Planner AC 23.6.16 Francesca Senior Planner FR 9.6.16 Rowson Reviewed by Cathy Hall Senior Associate CMH 29.6.16 Approved by Cristina Howick Partner CH For and on behalf of Peter Brett Associates LLP Revision Date Description Prepared Reviewed Approved A 13.6.16 Draft for client review AC/FR FR/CH CMH B 30.6.16 Second draft for client review AC/CH CMH CMH C 30.11.16 Final draft for client review CMH CMH PK D 14.3.17 Final AC CMH CH Peter Brett Associates LLP disclaims any responsibility to the client and others in respect of any matters outside the scope of this report. This report has been prepared with reasonable skill, care and diligence within the terms of the contract with the client and taking account of the manpower, resources, investigations and testing devoted to it by agreement with the client. This report has been prepared for the client and Peter Brett Associates LLP accepts no responsibility of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report or any part thereof is made known. Any such party relies upon the report at their own risk. © Peter Brett Associates LLP 2016 THIS REPORT IS FORMATTED FOR DOUBLE-SIDED PRINTING. ii Central Bedfordshire Retail Study 2016 Update Report CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1 Terms of reference ....................................................................................................... 1 Context ......................................................................................................................... 1 Structure of the report .................................................................................................. 2 2 PLANNING POLICY CONTEXT .................................................................................. 3 National planning policy ............................................................................................... 3 Local policy .................................................................................................................. 5 Other material considerations ....................................................................................... 8 Summary .....................................................................................................................11 3 RETAIL AND LEISURE CONTEXT ............................................................................13 Introduction .................................................................................................................13 Market and economic trends .......................................................................................13 Local context ...............................................................................................................21 Summary .....................................................................................................................23 4 RETAIL AND LEISURE PROVISION ..........................................................................25 Town centre health checks ..........................................................................................25