Policy RT1 - Provision of new retail uses

We wish to register our objection to Policy RT1 as it is not effective or justified when considered against reasonable alternatives. Specifically, we object to the following:
1. the lack of sufficient options/ alternatives for the delivery of retail development in Lutterworth during the Plan period;
2. the absence of allocations for retail development in close proximity to the Lutterworth town centre.
It is noted that only one site in Lutterworth has been allocated for retail development during the Plan period (the 'East of Lutterworth Strategic Development Area' (SDA)). Of the 1,000sq m (gross) of convenience floorspace required in Lutterworth during the Plan period, 100% of this is proposed to be delivered as part of the SDA.
In terms of convenience floorspace, Table B.18 of the Proposed Submission Local Plan indicates that 400sq m (gross) will be developed in Lutterworth to the period to 2021. Between 2021 and 2026, it is predicated that 300sq m (gross) of convenience floorspace will be delivered, with the same amount of floorspace (300sq m (gross)) predicted for delivery between 2026 and 2031. Given that 100% of the convenience floorspace is proposed to be delivered by the SDA, any delays in the site's delivery would have significant implications for the provision of convenience retail development in Lutterworth. The current strategy does not provide sufficient flexibility or allow the Plan to adapt to changing circumstances. As such, it is currently unsound.
In our view, additional land should be allocated for retail development close to the existing town centre. This would support the vitality of the existing town centre and facilitate the logical expansion of the current retail offer in a sustainable location close to existing residential areas and bus routes. The proximity of existing markets, as well as the strategic highway network (including M1 motorway), would be commercially attractive and, as such, retail sites in this location would be highly deliverable.
In addition to the above, it is considered that there is qualitative need for a better choice of food shopping outlets to meet the requirements of Lutterworth and its catchment area, commensurate with the towns status in the District's shopping hierarchy. The adopted Core Strategy DPD identifies Lutterworth as a Key Centre within the spatial strategy (Policy CS1), on a par with Broughton Astley. However, in the retail hierarchy, set out at Policy CS6, Lutterworth is designated as a Town Centre, at the same level as Market Harborough and above Broughton Astley, which is classed as a second tier, District Centre. In terms of current food store provision, Market Harborough has a wide choice of supermarkets available to meet the needs of the local bulk food shopper, including two operators in the rapidly expanding and very popular deep discount food sector (ALDI and Lidl). Broughton Astley has recently benefitted from the opening of a discount food store operated by ALDI, which is proving to be very popular and has helped that settlement to become more self-contained in terms of meeting its own food shopping needs.
Lutterworth, on the other hand, while offering two mainstream supermarkets capable of meeting most bulk food shopping needs, fails to provide a sufficiently wide choice of food retail provision for a town of its standing in the shopping hierarchy. In particular, the town does not offer its residents the benefits of a discount food store, which would materially enhance the range and quality of convenience goods available, to local people, particularly to those on tight budgets.