Town centre definition
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) defines a town centre as an: 'Area defined on the local authority’s proposal map, including the primary shopping area and areas predominantly occupied by main town centre uses within or adjacent to the primary shopping area. References to town centres or centres apply to city centres, town centres, district centres and local centres but exclude small parades of shops of purely neighbourhood significance. Unless they are identified as centres in Local Plans, existing out-of-centre developments, comprising or including main town centre uses, do not constitute town centres.'
Town centres, Supplementary planning guidance, published by the Mayor of London in July 2014, defines town centre as: ‘…the main foci beyond the Central Activities Zone for commercial development and intensification, including residential development; the structure for sustaining and improving a competitive choice of goods and services conveniently accessible to all Londoners, particularly by public transport, cycling and walking; and the main foci for most Londoners’ sense of place and local identity within the capital (together with local neighbourhoods).’
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