Nottingham City Council
Shopfronts and shutters in Nottingham
Nottingham’s planning policies say to avoid solid and perforated shutters, and name three external types that are typically acceptable: lattice grilles, punched-lath shutters and clear polycarbonate.
- Planning authority
- Nottingham City Council
- Planning system
- England
- Main document
- Adopted January 2020
- Status
- Local Plan policy
- Main retail streets
- Clumber Street, Bridlesmith Gate, Victoria Centre
- Our repairs
- Inside our 100-mile repair radius
Nottingham adopted its Land and Planning Policies document in January 2020, replacing the 2005 Local Plan. Policy DE4 deals with shopfronts and, unusually, sets out a full test for external security in the policy itself.
What makes it practical is that it does not stop at “avoid solid shutters”. It lists the external types the council will typically consider, and it says where the box and guides should go.
Shutters and security
- Security glazing, lighting, strengthened stall risers, security doors, CCTV and alarms
- Grilles or shutters mounted internally
- External grilles, punched-lath or clear polycarbonate shutters, where need is shown
External grilles or shutters are assessed on whether there is a demonstrable need, and whether other options — security glazing, lighting, strengthened stall risers, security doors, CCTV, alarms — have been considered.
Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: Shopfronts, DE4.2(a)The council asks whether the grille or shutter could be mounted inside, behind the glass.
Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: Shopfronts, DE4.2(b)Where external security is justified, solid or perforated shutters should be avoided. Typically acceptable: external lattice grilles, punched-lath shutters and transparent polycarbonate shutters.
Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: Shopfronts, DE4.3Grilles and shutters should cover only the glazed areas, leaving stall risers and pilasters visible; boxes go inside, behind the fascia; every external face, guide and box is colour-coated.
Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: Shopfronts, DE4.4–DE4.6Extra care applies on listed buildings and in conservation areas.
Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: Shopfronts, DE4.7
Sources
- Nottingham City Land and Planning Policies (Local Plan Part 2), Policy DE4: ShopfrontsAdopted January 2020 · Local Plan policy · read on 9 October 2026
Policies change. Before you order anything, confirm with Nottingham City Council — a pre-application enquiry gets you a written view on your drawings.