| 1. | The proposed change of use from Class A1 to A2 in this Prime Holiday Retail Area is considered to be contrary to local planning policy insofar as there are 7 other betting premises within a 5 minute walk of the application site and consequently customer choice and shopping diversity would not be enhanced by a further betting shop in this particular location immediately adjacent to the defined the Town Centre, which has an undermining effect on policy SHP14's ability to sustain the tourism focussed link between the seafront and town centre. This proposal will result in an erosion of retail uses in Regent Road contrary to the aims of policy SHP14.
The provisions of the adopted Great Yarmouth Borough Wide Local Plan, whilst not precluding other retail uses such as A2 (Financial & Professional Services) & A4 (Drinking Establishments) does however, specify that those other retail uses (A1, A3 & A5) are considered to enhance the link between the town centre and the seafront. Regent Road, which is identified as Primary Commercial Holiday Area, plays an important role in drawing tourists from the seafront area to the town centre and policy SHP14 allows the conversion of properties to A1 & A3 uses, and therefore, for these reasons it remains the opinion of the local planning authority that policy SHP14 is appropriate in this instance.
The immediate area around the proposed site has been identified in a recent Retail Study (2011) is already functioning as a healthy, year-round shopping area and therefore the change of use to betting outlets is unlikely to increase the vitality of the immediate area. Regent Road plays an important roe with regards to drawing tourists from the seafront which remains the purpose of the policy and under such circumstances, allowing uses not encouraged through SHP14 could undermine or dilute the policy's continuing impact.
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