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8. Sequential Approach

8.1 One of the key policy guidelines contained within SPP8 and maintained from NPPG8 is the requirement for planning authorities and developers to adopt a sequential approach to selecting sites for all uses that contribute to the vitality and viability of a particular town centre. Town centre sites are identified as the preferred choice of location.

8.2 Table 13 sets out the level of planning applications, approvals, refusals, etc. on the basis of the sequential approach across Scotland.

Table 13: Sequential Location by Key Planning Stage (Floorspace - sq. m)

8.3 The table indicates that more floorspace was approved in town centre and edge of centre combined (259,000 sq. m) than in out of centre and out of town combined (210,000 sq. m). The percentage of town centre sites receiving approval fell 4% on 2003 figures down to 30%.

8.4 Figure 5 compares the sequential location of approved floorspace with returns for 1998 to 2004.

Figure 5: Sequential Location of Approved Floorspace

8.5 Table 14 shows the sequential location of approved planning consents in each local authority area. A significant contribution to the level of approved floorspace for out of centre locations comprised of two large applications, one within North Lanarkshire (30,650 sq. m) and the other within Glasgow (26,500 sq. m) (Refer to 10 Largest Approved Schemes). Table 15 sets out the same information for Structure Plans.

Table 14: Sequential Approach - Approved Planning Applications by Local Authority (Floorspace - sq. m)

Table 15: Sequential Approach - Approved Planning Applications by Structure Plan Area (Floorspace - sq. m)

8.6 Tables 16 and 17 provide a detailed breakdown of greenfield/brownfield development by planning stage and the four locations defined by the sequential approach. They highlight the continued prominence of brownfield sites at most planning stages and sequential locations.

Table 16: Greenfield/Brownfield Development by Sequential Location & Planning Stage (No.)

Table 17: Greenfield/Brownfield Development by Sequential Location & Planning Stage (Floorspace - sq. m)

8.7 Tables 18 and 19 set out the varying frequency and size of different retail formats across each planning stage and sequential location.

Table 18: Retail Format by Sequential Location and Planning Stage (No.)

Table 19: Retail Format by Sequential Location and Planning Stage (Floorspace - sq. m)

8.8 The tables show that most applications submitted for town centre locations were of a mixed format (14). Within edge of centre and out of centre areas convenience was the most frequently recorded format (10 & 18 respectively).

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