Retail (A class) development (2011/2012 – 2018/2019)

Monitoring changes in retail (A use class) development

Completions

In the period 2011-2018 there has been a net gain of around 21,800 sqm of A Use Class floorspace through completions.

The majority of A use class floorspace has been delivered through the completion of applications providing A1 Use Class floorspace (28,400sqm net). Although completions over this period have resulted in net gains of A1 and A3 floorspace, there has been a net loss of A2 (-2,490sqm), A5 (-140sqm) and a loss of A4 floorspace (-12,000sqm).

The majority of A Use class floorspace completed has been through applications proposing less than 1000 sqm of net (and gross) floorspace. Completions data shows that across the period, 8,937 sqm net of A floorspace was delivered through applications proposing over 1000 sqm of A floorspace, whilst 12,901 sqm net was delivered though applications proposing less than 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace.

Table 1 - Net and gross completions of schemes involving retail (A class) floorspace

Approvals

In the period 2011-2018 there has been a net gain of around, 63,150 sqm of A floorspace through approvals.

A significant proportion of the A1 floorspace in the pipeline has been contributed by major schemes approved in the financial years 2011/12-2013/14, 2016/17 and 2018/19. For example, in the 2016/17 financial year 9,934sqm net of A class floorspace was approved through applications proposing over 1000sqm of A class floorspace, 378 sqm net was approved through applications proposing under 1000 sqm of A class floorspace.

Dissimilar to completions over the same period, most of the A floorspace being delivered through approvals has been through applications proposing over 1000 sqm of A floorspace. Across the period, 38,464 sqm net of A floorspace was dapproved through applications proposing over 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace, whilst 24,686 sqm net was approved though applications proposing less than 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace.

This table does not include a recently approved scheme, Canada Water Masterplan which has been approved for Phase 1 and outline planning permission for future phases of the redevelopment of this site. The approved application seeks to deliver up to 88,432 m² (gross) of retail (Class A) across the Masterplan site, with a commitment to a minimum provision of 46,452m².

Table 2 - Net and gross approvals of schemes involving retail (A class) floorspace

Page last updated: 05 April 2023