What is a retail or town centre audit?

A retail or town centre audit provides an independent review of retail, leisure or town centre evidence submitted in support of a planning application, appeal or development proposal. These audits are often undertaken on behalf of local authorities, third parties, landowners or private clients who require a clear assessment of the robustness of an applicant’s submitted information.

The audit may consider retail impact assessments, sequential test assessments, planning statements, retail need assessments, town centre evidence, frontage assessments, economic statements or other supporting documents relating to main town centre uses. The purpose is to identify whether the submitted evidence is accurate, proportionate, policy-compliant and sufficiently robust to support the proposal.

Retail and town centre audits can be particularly useful where a proposal has the potential to affect existing centres, where the sequential approach is disputed, where impact evidence is unclear, or where a local authority requires specialist retail planning input before determining an application.

Retail and town centre audits may consider, in summary, the following:

• The accuracy and robustness of submitted retail or leisure evidence;
• Compliance with national and local retail planning policy;
• The scope and methodology of any sequential test assessment;
• The adequacy of any retail impact assessment or trade diversion analysis;
• The assessment of need, capacity, expenditure or catchment assumptions;
• The implications for nearby town, district or local centres;
• The reliability of supporting data, assumptions and conclusions; and
• Whether further information, clarification or mitigation may be required.

Retail and town centre planning matters can be technically complex, particularly where proposals involve out-of-centre development, changes to retail floorspace, leisure uses, drive-thru restaurants, food and beverage uses, hotels or other main town centre uses. Local planning authorities and third parties may need independent advice to understand whether the applicant’s evidence properly addresses the relevant planning policy tests.

Mark Alexander Planning has experience providing audit and review services for local authorities and other clients, including the review of applicant-submitted retail assessments, sequential test assessments, impact assessments, planning statements and related retail planning documentation. Our audits help identify key issues, evidential gaps, policy risks and areas where further clarification may be required.

Our approach is clear, proportionate and commercially informed. We provide concise advice that assists decision-makers, planning officers, consultees and private clients in understanding the strengths and weaknesses of submitted retail and town centre evidence. Where required, we can also advise on appropriate wording for consultation responses, committee reports, requests for further information or objection submissions.