HOP isn't classed as a town centre so there will be no impact on it and none of the businesses are essential. Therefore no grounds to resist a change to residential.

The danger is that landlords, who don't seem to be that keen to ensure shops are occupied, will be tempted to change the premises to flats.

We shall see. Its only a consultation at the moment but George Osborne is pretty keen on deconstructing and discrediting planning system so it may be a shoe in.