Core Strategy - Consultation Draft
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Document Section | Core Strategy - Consultation Draft Chapter 3: Spatial Policies Delivering a Prosperous Economy CS20: Supporting a Successful Economy CS20: Supporting a Successful Economy [View all comments on this section] |
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Comment ID | 3569313/CSCD/22 |
Respondent | Deleted User [View all comments by this respondent] |
Agent | Deleted User |
Response Date | 15 Mar 2010 |
Current Status | Accepted |
Comment | Locking Parklands was allocated for 25ha of employment development within the Replacement Local Plan, however St Modwen and the HCA believe that the site should be brought forward in a mixed use nature rather than single use blocks of development. We therefore support the expectation within the policy that, employment development will be delivered alongside infrastructure improvements, as part of mixed use sites, or as part of wider regeneration initiatives to 'unlock' sites for development in the short to medium term of the plan period. As noted previously, the HCA supports the employment led approach for Weston. However, we seek clarification on the mechanisms to be used to secure delivery of employment development early in the plan period. We believe that proposals need to be brought forward in a mixed use nature to facilitate the required infrastructure, thereby creating available serviced employment land ready for occupiers with the benefit of planning permission. As noted above commercial reality (exacerbated by current market conditions) means that speculative building of commercial floorspace is very unlikely. The expected approach to deliver 1.5 B use class jobs per new home, in addition to the opportunities presented by non B use class jobs is noted by the HCA, however, we are concerned that implementation of such a rigid approach may preclude some schemes from coming forward which would still provide valuable employment opportunities. We have also previously raised concerns regarding the Council's approach to calculating the number of jobs per home (refer to Chapter 5 of Planning Statement in support of the Locking Parklands Phase One Application). GVA Grimley's research for the SWRDA indicates that nearly 58% of jobs within the South West are within non-B use classes. Therefore, if you add this to the B class jobs, it equates to 2.4 jobs per dwelling which is not achievable, especially when compared to the average household occupancy rate (including children, OAPS etc) of 2.3 used by the Council to determine planning obligations for open space etc. We therefore seek some flexibility within the policy wording on this issue. |
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