Main Modifications to the Proposed Submission Core Strategy

We note that the modification to Policy BX2 (iii) and paragraph 8.36 follows the publication of the Rother Shopping Assessment Update Report 2013 (by GL Hearn). Whilst the 2,000 sq m net figure has been recommended by GL Hearn, we consider that a foodstore in excess of this will be necessary in order to compete effectively with existing large out of centre stores and to claw back trade to the town centre. We also note that GL Hearn provide further advice to Rother DC at paragraph 5.10 of their Report which confirms that "any proposals in excess of the identified quantitative capacity will be tested in impact terms at the application stage".
We would therefore request that further text be added to paragraph 8.36 which confirms that -
convenience proposals in excess of the identified need will be considered in light of the need to compete with large foodstores outside of the town and to assist in clawing back trade to the town centre, which will assist in promoting linked trips to town centre stores. The identified need should not be treated as a floorspace limit, however future proposals in excess of this will need to be tested by way of a retail impact assessment at application stage.

We note that the modification to Policy BX2 (iii) and paragraph 8.36 follows the publication of the Rother Shopping Assessment Update Report 2013 (by GL Hearn). Whilst the 2,000 sq m net figure has been recommended by GL Hearn, we consider that a foodstore in excess of this will be necessary in order to compete effectively with existing large out of centre stores and to claw back trade to the town centre. We also note that GL Hearn provide further advice to Rother DC at paragraph 5.10 of their Report which confirms that "any proposals in excess of the identified quantitative capacity will be tested in impact terms at the application stage".
We would therefore request that further text be added to paragraph 8.36 which confirms that -
convenience proposals in excess of the identified need will be considered in light of the need to compete with large foodstores outside of the town and to assist in clawing back trade to the town centre, which will assist in promoting linked trips to town centre stores. The identified need should not be treated as a floorspace limit, however future proposals in excess of this will need to be tested by way of a retail impact assessment at application stage.