Northern Area Plan 2016
Strategic Plan Framework: Retail, Services and Offices The Hierarchy of Commercial Centres

The table below indicates the hierarchy of commercial centres within the Plan area, appropriate to their character and function:

The Plan has defined town centre boundaries for each of the six main towns. Boundaries are also identified for the five District Centres. The town centres provide a broad range of retail, service and other facilities, and are the focus for community and public transport. Within these centres, retail development and other uses that generate significant numbers of people will be encouraged and promoted, as the most sustainable locations with optimum accessibility by a range of means of travel. The town centres provide the main opportunity for further commercial expansion.

District Centres are lower order than town centres, but are within locally important settlements. They provide a range of commercial facilities to serve the general needs of the population of the town and its immediate hinterland. Within district centre boundaries retail and other commercial development will normally be approved.

Local Centres provide a range of retail and other services for the neighbourhoods in which they are located. They contribute to wider sustainability objectives by meeting the needs of local residents and encouraging short distance walking and cycling. Modest expansion of the range of facilities will be accommodated provided these meet local needs.