Chapter 7: Employment

Deposit Draft Policy Number & Title

Employment Policy 2 – Strategic Employment Sites

Employment Policy 2 – Strategic Employment Sites

In meeting the employment land provisions in Employment Policy 1 provision will be made in local plans for seven Strategic Employment Sites for B1(b), B1(c), B2 and B8 uses as appropriate. They will be within Leicester, Blaby District (close to Leicester), Charnwood District (one close to Loughborough and one close to Leicester), Harborough District (close to Leicester and Oadby and Wigston), Hinckley and Bosworth District (two, close to Hinckley) and Oadby and Wigston District. Development of these sites will be phased as follows:

Strategic Employment Sites should be:

a) in locations which within or adjoining the urban areas with good access to the road network;

b) in locations which are capable of being made accessible by walking, cycling and public transport; and

c) of a good standard of design, layout and landscaping.

Other sites may also be brought forward which meet the needs of the Plan Area from the general supply of employment land.

In accordance with the Panel Recommendations for the reasons given in the Panel Report (paragraphs 5.30 – 5.34) subject to:

Employment Policy 4 – Science and Technology Parks

Employment Policy 4 – Science and Technology Parks

Provision will be made for a hierarchy of sites for high technology firms and technology transfer. These should include:

a) incubator facilities as close as possible to related research institutions;

b) well managed, ready built small units for existing high technology, small to medium size enterprises;

c) at least one substantial science park development.

Land for one substantial science park, up to a maximum of 50 hectares, should be allocated in Loughborough close to the university.

Development on these sites will be required to provide a high standard of design and layout commensurate with a high quality business environment.

Restrictions limiting the use of such sites primarily to B1(b) of the Use Classes Order should be imposed or negotiated.

In accordance with the reasons given in the Panel Report (paragraph 5.42 - 5.43)

Employment Policy 5 – Expansion and Relocation of Existing Employment Sites

Delete Policy

In accordance with Panel Recommendations for the reasons given in the Panel Report (paragraphs 5.44 - 5.48)

Employment Policy 6 – Protection of Employment Land and Buildings

Employment Policy 6 – Review and Protection of Employment Land and Buildings

Existing employment site allocations will be reviewed as part of the local plan process. An assessment will be made of the quality and quantity of land allocated, in the light of the Structure Plan employment land requirement for that area, trends in take-up, and the sequential approach and criteria in Strategy Policies 3A and 3B. Key existing and planned proposed employment sites will be identified and safeguarded in local plans from other development proposals.

Development of other existing and planned proposed employment land or buildings to sites or the re-use of employment buildings for other uses or for mixed development will be permitted if:

(a) the change will would not result in a shortage of employment land or buildings in the area; or

(b) the land or buildings are no longer suitable unfit for employment purposes; or

(c) the site would make an important contribution to towards improving the environment; or

(d) he proposed use is ancillary to an existing or proposed employment use.

In accordance with Panel Recommendations for the reasons given in the Panel Report (paragraphs 5.26 - 5.27)

Employment Policy 7 – Safeguarding High Quality Employment Sites

Delete Policy

In response to representations to the deposit draft Structure Plan. This was proposed as a Pre-EIP Change.

Employment Policy 8 – Storage and Distribution

Employment Policy 8: Storage and Distribution

The use of employment land for storage and distribution purposes (Use Class B8) uses will be permitted on sites with good access to the Principal Road Network and provided that:

a) development would not cause unacceptable environmental problems consequences; and

b) the any potential of for sites development to be served by rail sidings or water freight, to meet current needs and those which may emerge in the future, is maximised.

In accordance with the Panel recommendations for the for reasons given in the Panel Report (paragraphs 5.49 - 5.53) subject to:

Employment Policy 9 – The Rural Economy

Employment Policy 9: The Rural Economy Employment in Rural Settlements

Provision will be made within and adjoining rural centres for employment development will be made within and adjoining rural centres, and will be permitted in other rural settlements, either in the form of new development or from the conversion of existing buildings, subject to the development individually or cumulatively with other development:

(a) it being of a scale, character and type that is appropriate to the rural centre form, character and setting of the settlement; and

(b) it does not lead to a dispersal of employment activities which would undermine the vitality of the rural centre not having an unacceptable impact in terms of traffic generated, access or parking arrangements.

In accordance with the Panel’s recommendations for the reasons given in the Panel’s Report (paragraphs 5.54-5.56 ) subject to amending the title of the Policy to read: ’Employment in Rural Settlements’ proposed as a Pre EIP Change. This issue was not addressed by the Panel.

It is accepted that the term ‘rural economy’ applies to businesses in both rural settlements and located in the countryside. However, the Structure Plan addresses development in the countryside, including employment related development, under Strategy Policy 9 ‘Development in the Countryside’, and employment development within the planned limits of the built up area of rural settlements under Employment Policy 9. The application of the term Rural Economy to Employment Policy 9, is therefore misleading in that it does not embrace the entire rural economy and the suggested title ‘Employment in Rural Settlements’ would be a more apt description.

Employment Policy 10 – Provision of a sub Regional Exhibition and Conference Centre

Delete Policy.

In accordance with Panel Recommendations for the reasons given in the Panel Report (Paragraphs 5.57 – 5.58).

Employment Policy 11 – Hazardous Installations

Employment Policy 11 – Hazardous Installations

Proposals for hazardous installations will only be permitted if:

(a) there would be no unacceptable adverse effects on the population and the environment; and

(b) adequate access arrangements are made on to the rail network or the strategic Principal Road Network for the transportation of hazardous materials

In response to representations to the Deposit Draft Structure Plan and to make consistent with other references in the Plan.