Great Yarmouth Borough Council

No.	Condition Text
1.	Policy SHP4 of the Borough Wide Local Plan sets out criteria to ensure that there is not a proliferation of non-retail uses which could detrimental affect the vitality and viability of the town centre. Furthermore policy CS7 of the Core Strategy also aims to protect the vitality and viability of the town centre whilst encouraging a diversity of uses. The application is for a change of use of a prominent unit within the town centre from A2 use into a betting shop. There are current 8 separate betting shops within a close walk from the application site. It is considered that an additional unit would create a proliferation of a single non-retail use which in turn reduces the diversity of the town centres. This concentration of betting shops would fail to enhance the town centre by limiting customer choice and contrary to the aims of policy SHP4 and policy CS7 would reduce the vibrancy of the town centre. These aims are echoed by the National Planning Policy Framework which states that Local Planning Authorities should promote competitive town centres that provide customer choice and a diverse retail offer and which reflect the individuality of town centres. Another betting shop would be considered a negative use of a unit in strategically important location. Consequently, the Borough Council, as Local Planning Authority, considers that the proposal is contrary to policy SHP4 of the adopted Borough-Wide Local Plan, policy CS7 of the Core Strategy and Paragraph 23 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
2.	STATEMENT OF POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT (REFUSALS): In accordance with the NPPF, in determining this application for planning permission, the Borough Council has approached it in a positive and proactive way and where possible has sought solutions to problems to achieve the aim of approving sustainable development. Unfortunately, despite this, in this particular case the development is not considered to represent sustainable or an acceptable form of development and has been refused for the reasons set out above.

No.

Condition Text

Policy SHP4 of the Borough Wide Local Plan sets out criteria to ensure that there is not a proliferation of non-retail uses which could detrimental affect the vitality and viability of the town centre. Furthermore policy CS7 of the Core Strategy also aims to protect the vitality and viability of the town centre whilst encouraging a diversity of uses. The application is for a change of use of a prominent unit within the town centre from A2 use into a betting shop. There are current 8 separate betting shops within a close walk from the application site. It is considered that an additional unit would create a proliferation of a single non-retail use which in turn reduces the diversity of the town centres. This concentration of betting shops would fail to enhance the town centre by limiting customer choice and contrary to the aims of policy SHP4 and policy CS7 would reduce the vibrancy of the town centre. These aims are echoed by the National Planning Policy Framework which states that Local Planning Authorities should promote competitive town centres that provide customer choice and a diverse retail offer and which reflect the individuality of town centres. Another betting shop would be considered a negative use of a unit in strategically important location. Consequently, the Borough Council, as Local Planning Authority, considers that the proposal is contrary to policy SHP4 of the adopted Borough-Wide Local Plan, policy CS7 of the Core Strategy and Paragraph 23 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

STATEMENT OF POSITIVE ENGAGEMENT (REFUSALS): In accordance with the NPPF, in determining this application for planning permission, the Borough Council has approached it in a positive and proactive way and where possible has sought solutions to problems to achieve the aim of approving sustainable development. Unfortunately, despite this, in this particular case the development is not considered to represent sustainable or an acceptable form of development and has been refused for the reasons set out above.