Spatial policies across London

2A.8 Town Centres

The Mayor will and boroughs should use the network of Town Centres shown on Map 3D.1 as the basis for policy development and delivery within them. Whilst recognising the key economic importance of CAZ, the Mayor will work with sub-regional partnerships and other agencies to implement a polycentric strategy for London's development by:

• sustaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of town centres including community and civic activities and facilities
• accommodating economic and housing growth through intensification and selective expansion
• reducing delivery, servicing and road user conflict
• meeting the needs of Londoners and improving the sustainability of London's development
• account should be taken of the relationship with town centres in adjoining sub-regions and in the regions adjoining London, to provide strategic direction for the development of the network of centres.

The Mayor strongly supports the development of a competitive retail sector. The Mayor will, and boroughs and other relevant agencies should, engage with developers and operators to find sites which fulfil the requirements of the sequential test.

DPD policies should:

• identify future levels of retail and other needs in light of integrated local and strategic assessments and enable the supply of capacity to meet these
• develop and enhance the network of International, Metropolitan, Major, District and specialist centres as shown on Map 3D.1 and Annex 1
• identify more local and neighbourhood centres and those with distinct roles in meeting special needs
• seek close partnership working with retailers and other stakeholders to identify developments that will support delivery of this plan's objectives, focusing it where practicable on town centres and where this is not practicable on the edge of town centres.