NRPF Retail Definitions Working Group
DRAFT DEFINITIONS FOR RETAIL PLANNING
Draft Defintions for Retail Planning consultation document (pdf)
Background
In late 2007, the NRPF agreed that new definitions were needed for retail planning, to improve the quality of retail forecasts and assessments. Accordingly, a Retail Definitions Working Group was convened, under the Chairmanship of Jonathan Baldock, a Director of the NRPF, who is also a Director and Head of Retail Planning at DTZ. The working group comprised representatives of the retail planning ‘industry’, including data suppliers, planning consultants, academia and a major retailer. A list of the individuals who contributed and their organisations is annexed to the attached paper. The NRPF is grateful for their assistance. Representatives of other retailers and the property industry were invited to contribute, but did not do so. The working group met in January 2008, agreed a list of topics for which new definitions were needed, and allocated responsibilities for preparing first draft definitions. These were circulated, and revised in the light of comments received. The attached paper sets out the resulting draft definitions based on the work of the working group, for wider consultation.
These definitions focus on the principal variables which are used by retail planners in preparing quantitative forecasts of the need for and impact of new retail floorspace. They do not cover other town centre uses such as commercial leisure facilities, offices, etc. Neither do they cover more general topics relating to retail development or the vitality and viability of town centres, for example. In some cases, the draft definitions codify existing custom and practice. However in others they would amount to some departure from current practice, or reconciliation of differences in existing approaches.
The definitions are not intended to constrain the methods used for retail planning analysis and forecasting, but simply to provide a common basis on which the data underpinning such work is provided and used. To some extent, it is not critical to the outcome of retail forecasting how definitions are cast. What is more important is that they are standardised, i.e. that all data providers and data users understand what they mean and work to the same definitions. Otherwise, as at present, errors can arise from data provided on one basis being combined with data provided on another and incompatible basis, to arrive at a false result
The definitions are also not intended to constrain in any way how retailers plan, fit out and operate their shops and stores. Neither are they intended for retrospective application in planning enforcement.
DCLG is considering annexing the final definitions which are adopted by the NRPF as the recommended national standard for retail planning, to the forthcoming guidance on retail need and impact assessments to be published with the next version of PPS6 for application in England. However, this will be subject to the draft definitions having been subject to consultation and peer review, and to the final version having taken account of such responses received. These draft definitions are thus hereby published by the NRPF; and interested parties are invited to submit comments by 19 December 2008. These should be sent to:
George Nicholson
The National Retail Planning Forum
6 Copperfield St
London SE1 OEP
Email: gnicho6499@aol.com
Following the receipt of such responses, the final versions of the definitions will be prepared, published by the NRPF and provided to the DCLG.
The attached paper sets out the draft definitions, together with comments as necessary. They are considered by the NRPF to represent a realistic concerted attempt to arrive at a new set of widely accepted and universally applicable definitions, which can be annexed to national planning policies for town centres and retail development so as to facilitate agreement on the technical basis of retail planning studies and assessments.
National Retail Planning Forum
24 October 2008
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