Retail planning policy and its successful interpretation can be complex. Targeting retail development to existing centres and assessing the impacts of retail development has been a longstanding policy requirement. However, there are a range of other important objectives and considerations relating to local choice and competition, and accessibility to high quality retail services. Impacts on job creation, journey miles, and the facilitation and investment towards wider regeneration objectives are increasingly relevant to major retail proposals.
Many retail led planning applications will require a Retail Impact Assessment. Their scope will vary but a sound understanding of general and local economic retail trends and drivers is fundamental. Accounting for all of these factors requires specialist input. As such, Pegasus has established an expertise on retail planning policy and Retail Impact Assessments.