THE town centre boundary will be reduced ‘substantially’ if a draft local plan which covers a 15-year period starting in 2018, is adopted.

A report states the boundary has been revised to be "substantially tighter to the north, north-east and south-east".

These areas, it says, comprise mainly industrial and residential buildings, which are not considered to function as part of the town centre.

To the east, the railway line forms the new recommended boundary line, whilst to the north, the boundary traces the southern part of the residential area, continuing to incorporate retail and service units to the north of Duke Street.

Asda and other commercial buildings near the south-western edge of the centre remain within the boundary due to the "importance of these operators in drawing shoppers". The A58 ring-road acts as a ‘natural’ boundary to the south-west of the town centre.

The report says the new boundary "reflects a more appropriate representation of a town centre as defined by the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework)".

A retail and leisure study, currently being finalised by consultants WYG, will assess the borough’s future retail and leisure needs.