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

Monitoring changes in A1 Use Class

Use Class A1 - shops and retail outlets.

Completions

In the period 2011-2018 there has been a net gain of around 28,400sqm of A1 floorspace through completions.  A significant proportion of the A1 floorspace delivered has been contributed by major schemes completed between the financial years 2014/15 and 2016/17. In particular, Bermondsey Spa (09/AP/0519) delivered 1452 sqm net in the financial year 2014/15; and Century House (09/AP/1617) delivered 1470 sqm net in the financial year 2015/16.

The financial year 2016/17 had the highest level of net gain in A1 floorspace (7,189 sqm) through completions. In this year three major schemes contributed to this delivery: Castle Industrial Estate (09/AP/2403) 2232 sqm net; Kings Reach Tower (11/AP/1071) 3701 sqm net; and 180 Brandon House (11/AP/2012)1460 sqm net.

The completion of applications delivering over 1,000 sqm net (and gross) of A1 floorspace has contributed significantly to meeting the demand of retail floorspace in the borough. However, the majority of net gain in A1 floorspace is delivered through development proposing less than 1,000 sqm of net floorspace. Completions data show that across the period, 11,825 sqm net of A1 floorspace was delivered through applications proposing over 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace, whilst 16,577 sqm net was delivered though applications proposing less than 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace.

This trend is best typified in the financial year 2018/19, 1560 sqm of A1 floorspace was delivered through the completion of applications proposing more than 1000 sqm and 5396 sqm was delivered through the completion of applications proposing less than 1000 sqm.

Table 3 - Net and gross completions of schemes involving A1 floorspace

Approvals

In the period 2011-2018 there has been a net gain of around 35,500 sqm of A1 floorspace through approvals. Around 7.7% of applications involving A1 floorspace have expired over the last 10 years, so there is not a particularly high lapse rate of applications.

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. In the 2011/12 financial year the following application was approved Kings Reach Tower (11/AP/1071) delivering 3701 sqm net. In the 2013/14 financial year the following applications were approved: Canada Water Sites C and E (12/AP/4126) delivering 5037 sqm net and 180 Brandon House (11/AP/2012) delivering 1460 sqm net. In the financial years 2016/17 and 2018/19, respectively, the redevelopment of 1 Bank End (15/AP/3066) will deliver 2795 sqm net and Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre (16/AP/4458) will deliver 1336 sqm net.

Similarly to completions over the same period, most of the A1 floorspace being approved has been through applications delivering less than 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace. Across the period, 16,501 sqm net of A1 floorspace was approved through applications proposing over 1000 sqm of A1 floorspace, whilst 19,017 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 4 - Net and gross approvals of schemes involving A1 floorspace

Page last updated: 05 April 2023