Economic Development – Zoned Sites and Settlements Policy Rationale

The aim of this policy is to promote core economic development schemes on zoned employment sites and to facilitate sustainable employment opportunities elsewhere in settlements that are appropriate to their location. This aim has taken account of and is consistent with the provisions of the SPPS. The Council wishes to ensure that an ample supply of employment land is available and retained for economic development purposes at a wide range of suitable sites focussed on our Borough's settlements to meet the future demands of the industrial, advanced manufacturing, and transport and logistics sectors, and to assist in attracting new high tech digital enterprises and businesses within other key growth sectors. Focussing economic development within our Borough's settlements and on well-located zoned land, suited to such purposes, will capitalise on the development opportunities provided by the concentration of people and goods, combined with available infrastructure and the clustering of a range of business and professional services essential to economic development.