Designated town centre
A designated town centre is 'a town centre designated in a local development plan. May include metropolitan centres, town centres, small suburban centres, and local shopping parades. It should be consistent with PPS4 and refer to city centres, district centres and local centres (Local Authorities, Academe and Professionals)' Permitted development rights for small scale renewable and low carbon energy technologies and electric vehicle charging infrastructure consultation - Summary of responses March 2012.
See also town centre, town centre definition, main town centre uses and simplified
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- City centre.
- Edge of centre.
- High street.
- High street (planning and policy).
- Local plan.
- Main town centre uses.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- National Planning Practice Guidance.
- Open space.
- Out of town.
- Permitted development.
- Planning permission.
- Portas review.
- Simplified planning zones SPZ.
- Town centre.
- Town centre definition.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.




















