Business

Category Background

To ensure that the development contributes to the sustainable economic vitality of the local area and region.

“A review of the current position of the South East economy and the forces, which are likely to impact on it over the next 20 years, has shown that despite the relative wealth there are disparities, which need to be addressed. Given the level of development in the region and pressures on its physical infrastructure and environment, a future development path offering more of the same is not acceptable”. Draft South East Plan Part 1: Core Regional Policies – July 2005 D2 Para1.16

Economic wellbeing is one of the tenets of sustainable development. However this needs to be furthered in accordance with the other tenets. The UK Sustainable Development Strategy sets this out in terms of:

“Building a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all, and in which environmental and social costs fall on those who impose them (polluter pays), and efficient resource use is incentivised.” UK Sustainable Development Strategy; Guiding Principles

The other sections of this Checklist apply equally to the design and planning of all types of developments. This section sets out specifically to reward developments which will increase the sustainability of the business sector.

“Beneath the headlines and averages, however, lie substantial variations in performance, and considerable concentrations of deprivation and exclusion, made all the more unacceptable by the prosperity surrounding them. For instance, on an absolute basis the South East has one of the largest number of excluded and deprived people of any UK region. Moreover, due the to high cost of living in the region, the actual disposable income of its residents is not as high as suggested by macroeconomic data.” Draft South East Plan Part 1: Core Regional Policies – July 2005 Section D2 Para 1.3

The aim will be to develop and sustain a vibrant and diverse economy and to meet the local employment and service needs of both urban and rural areas.

“The region has many sites recognised to be of national and international importance, in addition to many more of local importance and value to communities, including urban wildlife sites and corridors where wildlife has flourished. Continued protection of important wildlife assets needs to be accompanied by better management, the reduction in fragmentation and, where possible, the expansion of habitats.” Draft South East Plan Part 1: Core Regional Policies – July 2005 D2 Para 2.2

There are areas of unemployment in the south east, and areas where people have to commute long distances to reach suitable employment opportunities. The Regional Spatial Strategy recognises that many people commute into London and that the economic wellbeing of the south east is strongly linked to that of London. However the south east is not a dormitory for London, and requires its own jobs and services. Local facilities and employment opportunities are an important component of sustainable communities.

The focus of this policy is on supporting and encouraging types of businesses that will help the regional economy to continue to develop successfully. The region has a number of sectors that will be significant to realising this objective. Assisting their development and supporting and promoting opportunities for enhanced networks and cluster development will help enhance the region’s competitive advantage, broaden the region’s economic base, and encourage economic growth. Draft South East Plan Part 1: Core Regional Policies – July 2005 D2 para 3.1

The Regional Economic Strategy identifies key business clusters (groups of businesses with distinctive customer groups, supply chains, products, technologies and skills requirements) as priorities within the south east region. The Regional Spatial Strategy is clear that priority should be given to “exploiting, enhancing and fostering favourable conditions to assist sector, cluster or network development”.

“Interventions at a sub-regional and local level may include:

  • The provision and safeguarding of land in appropriate locations (which may include: proximity to existing sector concentrations, research and development facilities, good transport links, particular environmental assets)
  • The provision of premises of an appropriate type, size, price and quality (which may include: small and incubator units, managed workspace, move-on workspace, business parks, science parks)
  • The provision of advanced ICT infrastructure
  • The improvement and exploitation of other assets in the local area (which may include location, environmental quality, strong transport or research and development links).”
Draft South East Plan Part 1: Core Regional Policies – July 2005 D2 Box RE1

However, business clusters can take the form of businesses of all sizes, which brings an associated need for premises suitable for start-up firms, small businesses and working from home. The Region has one of the highest levels of self employment in small businesses in the country.

Businesses in close geographical proximity have the opportunity to share opportunities such as public transport, grounds maintenance and bulk purchasing.

With these policy issues in mind, this section of the checklist addresses:
  • Supporting the viability of existing businesses
  • Attracting appropriate inward investment
  • Sustainable business locations
  • Job creation
  • Range of business premises