Hi everyone, I'm struggling with a sequential test/disaggregation situation. I've been reading the Rushden Lakes decision by the SoS, which effectively makes it clear that there is no requirement for disaggregation of an application. It strikes me that this rather undermines the sequential test; lots of proposals will nowadays include an element of town centre uses (eg ground floor offices/retail as part of a mixed use residential scheme) but it would obviously be much more difficult to find a sequentially preferable site that could accommodate the full development if you don't need to disaggregate. Whilst the impact assessment may prevent big out-of-centre development, without a disaggregation requirement we're much more likely to see small-scale town centre uses dotted about, weakening town/local centres.
So my question is whether any LPAs still insist on disaggregation, and if so for what reasons?
Also, am I being dim or is the PPG really unclear on this (ref 2b-010-20140306)?
