Proposed planning initiative for city centre
Posted on Thursday 2nd April 2015
Newport City Council is considering a proposal which will make it easier for certain types of compatible and appropriate development in the city centre to go ahead.
Councillor John Richards, cabinet member for regeneration and development, is being asked to approve a consultation on the establishment of a Local Development Order (LDO).
This would grant blanket conditional planning permission for non-contentious forms of development in a defined area of the city centre for the next three years.
Only specified uses would be allowed on the lower, ground and upper floors of buildings and there would be exemptions - for example, only shops would be allowed on the ground floor of properties in the primary and secondary retail areas - to prevent harming the character and retail function of the city centre.
While this policy would mean a modest loss of income, it is believed a LDO would help increase occupancy levels and commercial activity by permitting a wide range of compatible uses.
Councillor Richards will decide whether to approve a six-week public consultation after seeking the views of all members.