Policy Framework

RETAILING, SERVICES AND OFFICES

INTRODUCTION

Craigavon Urban Area has three main shopping cores: Portadown Central Area, Lurgan Central Area and Craigavon Central Area. Portadown is the primary central area in terms of the size of the retailing sector and the function it performs as a focus for the whole Borough and a wider catchment area. In this area of Portadown two major shopping centres have been built in the past five years. Lurgan Central Area is characterised by its attractive townscape and the retention of local independent traders. Craigavon Central Area has benefited from recent improvements and extensions to the Rushmere Shopping Centre.

The Craigavon Urban Area is also the Borough’s administrative and financial centre. Within the central areas of Lurgan and Portadown there is a number of banks, building societies and other financial services operating from ground floor premises. There is also a number of other offices operating from small premises, often above existing shops.

In addition to the main central areas, Legahory District Centre, in Brownlow, and local shops located throughout the towns, serve local communities whilst the villages within the Borough provide an important commercial focus for their rural hinterlands.

REGIONAL PLANNING CONTEXT

The Department published in January 2003 a public consultation draft revision of Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS 4): Industry, Business and Distribution.

Relevant supplementary planning guidance is contained in the following series of Development Control Advice Notes (DCANs):

Plan Policy RSO 1     Local Shops within Housing Zonings

Planning permission will normally be granted for development of local convenience shopping on zoned housing land provided that: the gross floorspace does not exceed 250 square metres;  and there is no significant detrimental effect on amenities; there is no significant conflict with conservation interests;  the siting and design of the shop forms an integral part of the overall housing layout;  adequate parking and servicing arrangements are provided.

Where possible, the Department has sought to ensure that all housing zonings are reasonably accessible to Lurgan, Portadown and Central Craigavon’s central areas, which provide a full range of shops. There is also a number of convenience shops beyond these central areas that help meet the daily shopping needs of local residents. These shops are particularly important for the elderly and other people whose mobility is impaired. Where housing zonings do not benefit from ease of access to existing shopping facilities, the Department considers that there would be significant benefits to local residents by the provision of a local convenience shop. Part 3 of the Plan identifies those housing zonings to which this policy applies.