Revised Development Strategy

Object

Representation ID: 55455

Received: 27/07/2013

Respondent: Barclays Bank PLC

Agent: Shireconsulting

In line with the Strategic Vision in the Council's Corporate Development Strategy, the Local Plan contains a commitment to maintain and promote thriving town centres. The RDS is primarily concerned with meeting an increase in the Housing Requirement and the evidence base for that, but the consultation should also have addressed the consequences for other matters such as the economy and the vitality and viability of town centres, together with the evidence on these matters provided in response to the Preferred Options consultation 12 months ago.

Previous representation in June 2012 included evidence on how it increases vitality and viability in primary frontages, showing that there is considerable benefit in seeking to attract those A2 users such as banks who provide a high level of investment in, and maintenance of, their premises resulting in active and attractive street frontages. That investment fosters very significant footfall and pedestrian activity and attracts investment by others, helping to provide the confidence and commercial viability necessary for any programme of regeneration and investment. The Council's acknowledgement of the need for significant private sector investment in the town centres means that policies in the Local Plan must give greater encouragement to appropriate Part A uses to invest and to improve the quality of their representation.

Restrictive planning policies designed to keep significant generators of footfall such as the Bank out of primary shopping areas will actively work against the achievement of the Council's objectives and is inconsistent with National Policy. To be Justified and Consistent with National Policy the emerging Local Plan must review existing out of date policies that restrict the presence of financial service retailers such as the Bank in designated frontages. If this is not done, the Council will risk the DPD being found unsound.

Policy wording should make it clear that uses such as shops, banks and building societies which contribute to the vitality, viability and diversity of town centres will be encouraged and that such active ground floor uses will be appropriate in all designated retail frontages without restriction. Despite the stated intention to take account of representations and evidence in Paragraph 1.2, this current consultation is a missed opportunity to do so however the Bank's representations and evidence must be used to redress this matter at the next stage of consultation. In view of the requirement for improved provision of banking services in Warwick District the Bank confirms its continued interest in the Local Plan process and we shall be grateful if the Council will continue to notify us of the progress of this document as well as details of any other emerging LDDs.