RSS East Of England Plan - Broads Authority

East of England Plan 21
POLICY E2: Provision of Land for Employment
Local Development Documents should ensure that an adequate range of sites/premises (including sites within
mixed-use areas and town/district centres) is allocated to accommodate the full range of sectoral requirements to
achieve the indicative job growth targets of Policy E1, or revisions to those targets as allowed in that policy, and the
needs of the local economy revealed by up-to-date employment land reviews. Where development proposals and
issues cross local authority boundaries this approach should be applied across the whole urban or development
area.
Sites of sufficient range, quantity and quality to cater for relevant employment sectors should be provided at
appropriate scales in urban areas, market towns and key rural centres at locations which:
• minimise commuting and promote more sustainable communities by achieving a closer relationship between
jobs and homes;
• meet the needs of the region’s sectors and clusters identified in Policy E3, the Regional Economic Strategy or
through Local Development Documents;
• provide appropriately for identified needs for skills-training and education;
• maximise use of public transport;
• minimise loss of, or damage to, environmental and social capital and, where necessary, substitute for any losses
and secure positive enhancements. This will often mean giving preference to the re-use of previously developed
land and the intensification of development within existing sites over the release of greenfield land; and
• avoid any adverse impact on sites of European or international importance for wildlife.
4.8 EERA and EEDA have developed a consistent evidence base for employment land reviews and issued good practice
advice on estimating employment land needs. National guidance is also available.
4.9 The quality of land to meet the needs of business is one of the critical factors in ensuring economic success and attracting
inward investment. Local Development Documents should ensure there is a high quality employment land offer, taking
account of the contribution from strategic employment sites.
4.10 Allocations can promote more sustainable communities directly by redressing an imbalance between the availability of
local workers and local jobs (and hence the need to travel) or, more indirectly, such as through town centre office and retail
development and the leisure economy.
4.11 Surplus employment land may be released for housing or other pressing development needs in line with PPS3. However
it will be important to base such decisions on sound evidence. Land that is likely to be needed for employment should be
safeguarded against other development pressures.
4.12 Local planning authorities should consider the future information and communications technology needs of business
occupiers including through advice and guidance, inclusion in local planning guidance and development briefs, or by
making provision a condition of planning permission, particularly at strategic employment locations.