Shopping centres of every shape and size in Plymouth have come under the microscope as part of the Plymouth Council's long-term development plans.

Planners have put together a document which looks at the range of shopping centres from district centres through to local centres.

The document is called the Shopping Centres Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and once approved, will become part of the Council's Local Development Framework, which helps guide future change and development in the city.

It sets out the strengths and weaknesses for each of the shopping centres and suggests how they can be maintained and improved over the coming years.

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There are currently 51 local centres such as Chaddlewood and Peverell Park Road, and seven district centres, such as the Barbican and Plympton Broadway.

The SPD provides an overview of all the shopping centres and highlights issues which are affecting their performance and also identifies the boundaries of shopping centres.

It recommends objectives which could be used to address the issues and guide future developments and also confirms where new shopping centres will be provided such as Millbay and Plymstock Quarry.

Cabinet Member for Planning, Strategic Housing and Economic Development, Councillor Ted Fry said: "Shopping centres play an important part in many communities. They are not simply places to buy things, but are often the natural centre of a neighbourhood and where people meet.

"The type of shops and how attractive a shopping centre is often influences how people feel about where they live.

"While the wider economic situation is always going to have a major impact, there are issues which we can help deliver as part of the planning process. This could be encouraging a certain mix of shops, improving how a shopping centre or road looks or addressing parking issues."

(CD/KMcA)