B63 Chapter 10 - Shopping

Retail Trends

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10.1

During the last twenty-five years the general pattern of shopping has changed dramatically in response to increased consumer spending, customer demand and the requirements of retail operators.

10.2

The increased use of the car for shopping coupled with the growth in ownership of freezers and refrigerators has resulted in more bulk buying of food and the practice of the 'weekly (or monthly) trip to the supermarket'.

10.3

Another marked trend has been the development of much larger shopping facilities so that retailers can offer a wider range of goods and achieve economies of scale. Such facilities require substantial areas of land to accommodate the large buildings and high car parking provision involved. Consequently, they have usually been developed in locations well removed from the traditional town centre shopping areas which, in turn, has created concern about the future vitality and viability of town centres.

10.4

These new large shopping facilities can generally be divided into two broad categories. Firstly, there are those that sell 'convenience' goods (i.e. food and drink, various domestic items including cleaning and washing products, toiletries and pharmaceutical products) and, depending on their size, they have been variously called supermarkets, superstores or hypermarkets. Secondly, there are those that sell 'comparison' goods (i.e. clothes, house furniture, carpets, DIY equipment and domestic electrical goods, for which the consumer generally expects to invest time and effort into visiting a range of shops before making a choice). These facilities include retail warehouses (i.e. buildings of basic construction and appearance that generally retail bulky goods) and department stores.

10.5

In North Norfolk this changing pattern of shopping provision has seen the development of large convenience stores in Cromer, Fakenham and North Walsham.

10.6

A much more recent development in retailing has been the concept of the 'discount' food store. These are growing rapidly in the UK at the present time and developer interest has already been shown in North Norfolk.

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District-wide Shopping Study

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10.7

In 1993, proposals for two large convenience stores in Fakenham (one of which has since been built; see paragraph 10.30) prompted the Council to seek guidance on how best to deal with these and possibly additional proposals in the large rural area of North Norfolk, especially in view of the preparation of the Local Plan.

10.8

Consequently, in June 1993, planning consultants were commissioned by the Council to undertake a District-wide shopping study to provide recommendations that would inform the preparation of the Local Plan shopping proposals, and help the Council in determining the applications for two supermarket developments in Fakenham. The recommendations of the 'North Norfolk District-wide Shopping Study' (referred to as the shopping study), published in November 1993, were informed by the Government's PPG on 'Town Centres and Retail Developments' (PPG 6), published in July 1993. The shopping study was revised in January 1995. (NB: A 'Revised PPG 6' was published in June 1996.)

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The North Norfolk Retail Hierarchy

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10.9

The shopping study considers that the first level of the 'retail hierarchy' of North Norfolk District comprises the towns of Cromer, Holt, Fakenham and North Walsham. These towns contain the four principal shopping centres in terms of retail floor space. Each chiefly caters for the convenience goods needs of local residents and their surrounding rural catchment areas, but also offers a range of middle and some higher order comparison products to cater for wider and less frequent shopping needs. However, 'multiple' retailer representation (for example, Marks and Spencer, Woolworths and Boots) in each centre is limited, and the wider comparison shopping needs of North Norfolk residents are principally met by the major, higher order, comparison shopping centres of Norwich, King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth.

10.10

The proximity of the District to these three major centres, combined with the relatively dispersed population across North Norfolk which limits the potential catchment area for any one centre, reduces its attractiveness for national retailers. This will therefore affect the ability of shopping centres within the District to increase their floor space to any great extent.

10.11

At the second level in the hierarchy are the smaller town centres of Sheringham, Stalham and Wells-next-the-Sea. These centres are principally orientated towards convenience shopping, catering for frequently and routinely purchased goods. None of these centres contains a large supermarket facility and multiple representation is very limited. Consequently, each centre has a more localised catchment that will look to the larger town centres in North Norfolk and beyond for wider shopping needs.

10.12

The role of Hoveton in the shopping hierarchy deserves special mention. For a village with a population of around 1,900 residents (excluding adjoining Wroxham in Broadland District), Hoveton has an unusual shopping centre, with a wide range of outlets and products on offer. The centre is dominated by stores operated by a single company, including a supermarket and a department store. There are also several clothing shops and specialist outlets, such as an angling shop and marine wear shop. While Hoveton caters for the convenience goods needs of local residents, it also provides a range of products more commonly associated with much larger centres. It is therefore considered that Hoveton functions similarly to an 'out-of-town' retail facility, attracting trade from a wide area, and provides an alternative retail destination to larger centres. Given its location in relation to the Norfolk Broads, it also serves a significant tourist trade.

10.13

At the third level of the retail hierarchy are the village shops and other 'local' shops situated in residential areas. These are particularly important in meeting 'top-up' shopping needs, serving the less mobile, reducing the need for car travel to larger centres to make minor purchases and, especially in the rural areas, providing a key focal point for the local community.

10.14

There is a national trend of closure of village shops, but North Norfolk still maintains a good number and range of such facilities and has not suffered the decline experienced in other areas of the country. This is because North Norfolk is still essentially a rural area, where village shops remain a significant element in the retail hierarchy and have not been undermined by an over-provision of retail developments in the District's towns.

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Strengthening the Retail Hierarchy

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10.15

The shopping study carried out both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the retailing issues relating to North Norfolk. Its conclusions suggest that the retail hierarchy in the area could be 'strengthened' in order to maximise the retention of retail spending within the District, and thereby benefit the local economy and help to reduce the overall need to travel. The shopping study then recommends that such strengthening could be achieved if the Local Plan based its shopping policies on the following retail objectives:

• to maintain and enhance existing shopping centres, in order to encourage new investment in shopping and associated facilities, and to provide attractive and pleasant shopping environments;

• to protect the character of the historic town centres from unsympathetic development, but to promote uses compatible with the historic character of towns;

• to control the introduction of non-shopping uses within the core shopping areas of town centres, although recognising the contribution of uses other than retail to the vitality and viability of centres;

• to control the development of shopping schemes that are located on out-of-centre sites;

• to support the retention of village shops; and

• to allow the provision of local shops within residential areas to meet day-to-day shopping needs.

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Securing the Vitality and Viability of Town Centres

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Introduction

10.16

The Government makes clear in Revised PPG 6 that one of its objectives is to sustain or enhance the vitality and viability of town centres which serve the whole community, and in particular provide a focus for retail development where the proximity of competing businesses facilitates competition from which consumers benefit. (NB: Each of North Norfolk's towns has a designated 'Town Centre' which is shown on the proposals map - see Policy 7: Town and Large Village Centres.)

10.17

It is therefore essential that confidence is sustained and shopping investment continued in the existing town centres in order to maintain diversity, choice and a convenient distribution of shopping facilities for all sections of the community. Shopping is the main use in the centres and therefore the general balance of town centre uses needs to be managed to protect that function. If the shopping function remains strong, the vitality and viability of the centres should be assured.

Core Retail Areas

10.18

To support the shopping function of town centres the shopping study recommends the identification of 'Core Retail Areas' within the town centres. In these areas only town centre uses directly concerned with shopping and related commercial activities (for example, banks, building societies and restaurants) will be acceptable at ground-floor level. However, other town centre uses will be encouraged on the upper floors of buildings with a view to securing the overall vitality and viability of town centres and the conservation of the fabric of historic buildings.

Policy 79: Core Retail Areas
In Core Retail Areas development proposals that are not for Shopping, Financial and Professional Services or Food and Drink uses (Classes A1, A2, or A3 of the Town and Country Planning [Use Classes] Order 1987, as amended) will not be permitted on the ground floors of buildings.

Vacant Premises above Shops

10.19

In seeking to secure the overall vitality and viability of town centres, the Council is keen to promote the potential offered by town centres for residential use. In particular, the often vacant accommodation above shops and other commercial ground-floor uses can provide suitable opportunities for conversion to flats. Such developments can help to increase activity in town centres and ensure that buildings are kept in good repair. The residents will stimulate shopping, restaurants and cafés, and other businesses to serve them, and so in turn add to vitality. Moreover, town centre locations will provide residents with easy access to services, thus reducing the need to travel, and to public transport facilities.

10.20

In recognition of this issue, the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended, permits a change of use of premises used as shops or for financial and professional services to a mixed use as a single flat and shop or office uses, respectively, within the same planning unit. Any operational development, such as works which materially affect the external appearance of the building, will require planning permission. A change of use of the ground floor may be permitted if the shop or office is in the basement, provided that there is no display window on the ground floor. A flat may occupy more than one floor.

10.21

Those proposals for residential conversion which do require planning permission will be acceptable provided that they are in accordance with Policy 61: Conversion into Flats.

Policy 80: Vacant Premises above Shops - expired 27/09/2007
Development proposals for the residential use of accommodation above shops and other commercial premises in Town Centres will be permitted provided that they are in accordance with Policy 61: Conversion into Flats.

Historic Character of Town Centres

10.22

North Norfolk's town centres fall, in the main, within Conservation Areas and many town centre uses occupy Listed Buildings. The historic character recognised by these designations adds to the attractiveness of the town centre environment - and the shopping environment in particular - to both residents and tourists and should be conserved and enhanced. It is therefore important to ensure that the historic character of town centres is not damaged by unsympathetic developments and uses.

Policy 81: Historic Character of Town Centres
In Town Centres development proposals for shopping and other appropriate uses will be permitted provided that they are sympathetic and compatible in scale and design to the historic character and fabric of the respective Town Centre.

Town Centre Enhancement

10.23

If the vitality and viability of North Norfolk's town centres is to be sustained, and indeed enhanced, then it is essential that they benefit from continuing investment in new schemes and facilities and environmental improvements which will enhance their overall quality and attractiveness. To this end, Revised PPG 6 advises on the need for effective management and promotion of town centres. Revised PPG 6 further states, in paragraph 3 of Annex C:

'Detailed non-statutory town centre management strategies, drawn up within the context of the local plan, can bring forward such initiatives as:

- improvements to the approaches to town centres;

- environmental improvements and the enhancement of open space;

- street cleaning and refuse services that meet the needs of business;

- leisure, recreation and entertainment activities;

- crime prevention and safety improvements (eg CCTV);

- provision of quality, safe, and secure car parks with improved management and maintenance;

- an improved pedestrian environment;

- provision for disabled and elderly people, and those with young children;

- improved accessibility;

- setting clear standards for town centre services, publicising them and reporting on performance;

- obtaining feedback through regular customer surveys;

- improved signing and information;

- works of art in public spaces; and

- promotional advertising.

Such an approach can generate civic pride among local residents and help to give confidence to investors and retailers.'

10.24

Consistent with this advice, the shopping study included a recommendation that the Local Plan shopping policies should 'promote an overall policy of town centre management to achieve a coordinated improvement of town centre shopping environments, for example, through pedestrianisation, signposting and planting, and shopping facilities'.

10.25

Promoting the environmental improvement and attractiveness of town centres clearly involves a financial commitment on behalf of the Council which is set against a background of increasingly tight constraints on local government expenditure. Nevertheless, the Council considers that there is scope for joint-funding arrangements involving, where appropriate, such bodies as English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Rural Development Commission, the County and Town Councils, and the European Union. Indeed, work on a 'partnership initiative' for Fakenham town centre has already commenced. (See also the section on traffic management in Chapter 14: Transport.)

Policy 82: Town Centre Enhancement - expired 27/09/2007
The Council will promote schemes aimed at improving the general environment and attractions on offer in its Town Centres.

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Amusement Centres

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10.26

An amusement centre is a particular use, often found in town centres and holiday resorts, which causes concern to local planning authorities because of the noise and general disturbance that it can create. The term 'amusement centres' covers such activities as bingo halls and clubs, prize bingo centres, amusement-with-prizes machines (for example, fruit machines) and amusement-only machines (pin tables and video games). Besides planning permission, premises with amusement-with-prizes machines require a permit under the Gaming Act 1968 which is issued by the Council, whilst bingo halls and clubs require a licence from the Gaming Board.

10.27

Most of the amusement centres in North Norfolk are associated with the area's tourist economy, the majority being located in the sea-front areas of town centres and in holiday caravan and chalet parks. However, other parts of the country have experienced pressures to provide amusement centres away from the traditional holiday entertainment areas and the Council is anxious that such developments should not take place elsewhere in North Norfolk. In particular, there is concern that the indiscriminate siting of new amusement centres could have a detrimental effect on the amenity and character of North Norfolk's historic town centres.

10.28

Nevertheless, to provide some scope for increasing the provision of amusement centres to meet the needs of holiday-makers, the Council has designated two 'Holiday Entertainment Areas': one in Cromer and one in Sheringham. These are based on existing concentrations of amusement centres in each town and they will be the only areas of North Norfolk within which new amusement centres may be permitted.

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The Scope for Additional Retail Floor Space

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Convenience Facilities

10.29

The 1993 shopping study considered that North Norfolk's retail hierarchy could be strengthened by the Council encouraging the development of specific convenience and comparison retail facilities in certain towns, without there being a detrimental impact on either the vitality and viability of the local town centres or the viability of surrounding village shops.

10.30

The study revealed that both Fakenham and North Walsham could accommodate the development of one additional large convenience store of up to 2,500 m2 (26,900 ft2) net sales floor space. (NB: The identified need for an additional store in Fakenham was subsequently met by the development of a Safeway store at Clipbush Lane. It contains some 2,323 m2 (25,000 ft2) of net sales floor space.)

10.31

In North Walsham, planning permission had previously been granted for a large convenience store (1860 m2 [20,022 ft2] net sales floor space) on a greenfield site at Greens Road in June 1990. However, in the light of Government advice at the time of the preparation of the Pre-Deposit Draft version of the Local Plan the Council decided that this site was no longer suitable for the development of such a store. Instead, the site of the former 'Marricks Wire Ropes' premises on Cromer Road (which was the subject of a planning permission for a large convenience store that expired in June 1993) was designated for this purpose in the Pre-Deposit Draft.

10.32

Later, in March 1994, the publication of PPG 13 represented another change in Government advice affecting the location of retail developments. Consequently, it was considered inappropriate to continue the promotion of the 'Marricks' site as the preferred location for a new large convenience store in North Walsham through the Local Plan. The release of the Revised PPG 6 supported this action in the absence of any further examination of the availability of alternative sites in the town. (NB: At the date of adopting the Local Plan, the Greens Road site was still the subject of an unresolved legal dispute concerning whether the development of a store on the site had commenced or not.)

10.33

The shopping study also identifies scope for accommodating a new supermarket of up to 1,400 m2 (15,000 ft2) net sales floor space in both Sheringham and Stalham. In March 1991, authority was given to grant outline planning permission for a supermarket at the Saleground, Stalham subject to a Section 106 Obligation which has yet to be agreed. This site was designated as the proposed location for a new supermarket in the Pre-Deposit Draft version of the Local Plan. However, this proposal was not promoted in the Deposit Draft version because of the lack of progress in resolving highway problems associated with it. A development brief for the Saleground and other land at the Upper and Lower Staithe Roads, Stalham was subsequently approved by the Council in March 1997. This includes provision for a new supermarket of up to 1,400 m2 net sales floor space.

10.34

The shopping study emphasises that any new supermarket facility in Sheringham should be located within the town centre in order to support, rather than compete with, the current facilities in its Core Retail Area.

The Location of Additional Large Convenience Facilities

10.35

Revised PPG 6 requires that local planning authorities adopt a 'sequential approach' to the selection of retail development sites. The preparation of a development plan should include the identification of sites starting with a clear preference for town centre sites, followed by 'edge-of-centre' sites and finally 'out-of-centre' sites. This sequential approach should also inform the preparation of retail policies contained in development plans.

10.36

The shopping study found a need for additional convenience floor space in the Growth Towns of Fakenham and North Walsham and the Small Towns of Sheringham and Stalham. As previously mentioned, progress has been made in meeting the needs of both Fakenham and Stalham (see paragraphs 10.30 and 10.33 respectively). However, it has not yet been possible to identify suitable sites for new supermarkets in the other two towns. Accordingly, the Local Plan adopts a criteria-based policy approach, incorporating the 'sequential test', against which proposals for meeting these needs, and other retail developments, will be considered.

10.37

The Council will, nevertheless, identify retail development sites in North Walsham and Sheringham to meet the remainder of those needs identified by the shopping study. The selection of these sites will be made in accordance with the sequential approach set out in Revised PPG 6. These sites will initially be identified by the production of development briefs (as has been the case with Stalham) before being allocated, if necessary, in the review of the Local Plan.

10.38

Revised PPG 6 also advises, in paragraph 1.13, that:

'Not all centres, particularly small and historic towns, will have sites that are suitable in terms of size, parking, traffic generation or servicing arrangements for large-scale developments in the town centre itself. In such centres, developments should be of a scale appropriate to the size of the centre.'

The Council is aware that this advice is of relevance to many situations throughout the District. The criteria-based policy approach accepts this to be a significant issue and permits the possibility of development outside the town centre where more central locations could not be developed satisfactorily.

Comparison Facilities

10.39

The shopping study considers that there is scope, in both qualitative and quantitative terms, for relatively small-scale retail warehouse developments in Cromer, Fakenham and North Walsham (which are the principal concentrations of population in North Norfolk). The shopping study states that small-scale retail warehousing will have floor space of up to 2,787 m2 (30,000 ft2) sales space in the form of a single DIY store, or subdivided into not more than 3 units for DIY, furniture, carpet, electrical, sports and leisure or motor-related outlets with no unit less than 465 m2 (5,000 ft2) sales space, and conditioned to sell bulky durable goods only. Although the shopping study does not consider there to be any opportunities for large-scale retail warehouses, Policy 85: Retail Warehouses does address proposals for such developments should they come forward.

The Location of Retail Warehouses

10.40

Owing to the particular appearance and character of retail warehouses and the historic character of North Norfolk's town centres, it is considered that very rarely - if ever - will suitable opportunities arise for the siting of such facilities in the designated Town Centres; although the possibility of this happening should not be ruled out by any policy governing the location of retail warehouses. Given this concern and having regard to the comments made in respect of the location of large convenience facilities (paragraphs 10.35 - 10.38), the Council considers it appropriate to seek, wherever possible, edge-of-centre locations in designated General Employment Areas for the siting of these retail warehouses.

10.41

A site to the east of Thorpland Road, Fakenham was designated for the development of a small-scale retail warehouse in the Pre-Deposit Draft version of the Local Plan. In the light of Government advice on the location of retail developments this proposal was not promoted in the Deposit Draft version.

10.42

In Fakenham and North Walsham, the Council intends to leave it to the market to identify suitable sites for these facilities in accordance with Policy 85: Retail Warehouses pending a review of the Local Plan. In the case of Cromer, however, the situation is different. There is presently a limited supply of land available for employment-generating uses in Cromer, which cannot be increased without encroaching upon environmentally-sensitive greenfield sites at the edge of the town. Therefore, it was considered essential that the Local Plan's proposals for Cromer were aimed at achieving the optimum use of the limited amount of land available for employment-related developments. To this end, the Council has identified a specific site for a small-scale retail warehouse facility in Cromer which is reserved for such purposes only. This site, which is identified on the proposals map, is the former 'Travis Perkins' premises on Holt Road (on which planning permission for a discount food store was refused on 9 March 1995).

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Local Shops

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10.43

Local convenience shops (i.e. village and neighbourhood shops) perform significant economic and social functions; they offer a particularly important and convenient service for those who are less mobile, especially elderly people and people with disabilities, families with small children, and those without access to a car.

10.44

Village shops play a particularly vital role in North Norfolk because, despite the relatively dispersed distribution of its shopping centres, the distances between some villages and their nearest shopping centre are relatively long. Therefore, the loss of such a facility can have a severe impact on the community it serves.

10.45

The range of retail provision in villages across North Norfolk is varied. At one end of the spectrum is the Large Village of Hoveton, which has an above-average range and quantity of both convenience and comparison goods outlets on offer for its size of population (see paragraph 10.12). At the other extreme, a significant number of villages in North Norfolk have no shops at all. The general picture, however, is one of a large number of villages with a single, small sub-post office/village store which offers a limited range of grocery products, meeting top-up convenience shopping needs, as well as the services offered by the post office itself.

10.46

The Council is aware of the important function that local convenience shops generally perform outside the town centres, and will seek to retain such facilities wherever possible. However, should it be proved that an existing shop is uneconomic then a proposal for its change of use or redevelopment may be acceptable. To ensure that the market is reasonably tested, the Council will expect any premises to be marketed for a period of twelve months with the intention of securing a realistic offer to purchase or to let the property. Marketing of the property should include advertising both locally in the press and nationally in relevant trade magazines regularly throughout the year. Any planning application for a change of use after a year should be accompanied by a statement from a professionally qualified agent detailing the marketing exercise undertaken and the price at which the property was advertised, and giving full details of any offers received during the year. A statement demonstrating that the property is uneconomic in its present use should also be submitted.

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Country Pubs

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10.47

As with the village shop, the country pub is an important social and community facility that contributes to the character and vitality of rural areas. The Council is concerned at the continuing loss of country pubs (i.e. public houses situated outside the seven towns and three Large Villages of North Norfolk) which is yet another aspect of the decline of independent rural communities. As well as providing a focus for the local community the country pub can be an important source of local employment, especially if it is a successful tourist attraction. Furthermore, most country pubs in North Norfolk are of traditional construction and many are Listed Buildings and/or lie within Conservation Areas. Overall, country pub buildings make a significant contribution to the appearance and character of the rural scene.

10.48

Consequently, the Council will seek to prevent the loss of country pubs where there is no other provision in the locality. However, should it be proved that an existing public house is uneconomic then a proposal for its change of use or redevelopment may be acceptable. To ensure that the market is reasonably tested, the Council will expect any premises to be marketed for a period of twelve months with the intention of securing a realistic offer to purchase or to let the property. Marketing of the property should include advertising both locally in the press and nationally in relevant trade magazines regularly throughout the year. Any planning application for a change of use after a year should be accompanied by a statement from a professionally qualified agent detailing the marketing exercise undertaken and the price at which the property was advertised, and giving full details of any offers received during the year. A statement demonstrating that the property is uneconomic in its present use should also be submitted.

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Farm Shops

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10.49

Farm shops (including 'pick-your-own' centres) selling farm produce direct to the public provide an important alternative to purchasing such products in town centres; they increase the choice available to the consumer and provide competition for other retail outlets. However, many farm shops tend to sell a range of other goods besides farm-related produce and this could have an adverse effect on the viability of local convenience shops in nearby Selected Small Villages. For similar reasoning, it is inappropriate to permit other types of shop (excluding garden centres - see Policy 89: Garden Centres) in the Countryside.

10.50

Planning permission is not always required for ancillary retail sales, but may be necessary where a new building or extension is proposed. Since the Council is keen to restrict new building developments throughout the Countryside, it would wish to satisfy itself that any retail proposal is limited to farm-related produce and does not pose an unnecessary threat to any established village shops.

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Garden Centres

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10.51

The characteristics of garden centres can vary significantly from one business to another in terms of their overall size, the amount of building and the range of goods sold. It is therefore necessary to judge proposals against a set of criteria that will ensure a satisfactory location for those granted permission. Garden centres are considered inappropriate in environmentally-sensitive areas of the countryside, but proposals based on the reuse or adaptation of rural buildings may be acceptable (see Policy 29: The Reuse and Adaptation of Buildings in the Countryside). Alternatively, garden centres would be acceptable in the principal settlements where they can be easily accessible to most of their customers and can provide opportunities for the improvement of derelict land.

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Roadside Services in the Countryside

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10.52

The very nature of roadside service facilities means that prospective developers require locations which have good accessibility to the highway network. Increasingly, roadside service proposals include facilities for eating, limited convenience shopping and even overnight accommodation, in addition to the standard petrol and toilet facilities.

10.53

In North Norfolk in particular, petrol filling stations often perform the important role of local convenience shop, providing for the limited top-up shopping needs of the local community as well as providing a range of motor accessories/goods and products aimed at visitors and tourists. Indeed, in some of the more remote parts of North Norfolk the petrol filling station is the only shopping facility available for some distance; its viability being secured by the sale of petrol. Although petrol filling stations may be a threat to some village shops where local catchments overlap, they are generally seen as a benefit to rural shoppers.

10.54

Proposals for roadside services on fast, open stretches of principal roads are often the subject of objections on traffic grounds, but in built-up areas speed limits are generally in force and other development may already interfere with the flow of traffic. Locations in built-up areas are also likely to be more environmentally acceptable than sites situated in the open countryside. Nevertheless, in view of the high sensitivity of North Norfolk's built and natural environment and the highly visible nature of roadside service developments, potential developers will need to show a strategic need for a new facility before it can be considered acceptable. The need for proposals will be assessed having regard to the Government advice set out in Circular 4/88 DTp: 'The Control of Development on Trunk Roads'. This suggests that it will normally be reasonable to expect a driver to travel at least 19 km (12 miles) along a primary route (see Chapter 14: Transport) before finding a petrol-filling station and related facilities. A distance of 40 km (25 miles) would normally represent the maximum interval that is acceptable between filling stations on the same side of a primary route.

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