Residential above Shops Topic Paper

This paper has been prompted by the ongoing Urban Capacity Study (UCS) work undertaken by the Strategic and Local Plan (SLP) team. The purpose of the UCS is to assess the urban areas within the SLP boundary’s potential to help provide dwellings to meet the SLP needs. As part of this work one of the issues that required further assessment was for the opportunities of residential above shops in the areas city, towns, district and local centres to be considered.

The paper will assess the baseline information available and evaluate the opportunities and challenges that this urban capacity source brings. This understanding will help inform the appropriate policy response that will be incorporated into the emerging SLP as well as helping ensure that measures are embedded into wider plan-making principles.