Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

5 Thematic Policies5.1 In addition to the spatial policies in section 4, there are also a number ofthematic issues which need to be addressed through borough-wide policies inorder to implement the vision and spatial objectives. As well as providing thelong term policy framework for the Borough, they will support the delivery ofdevelopment and corporate actions, and they will guide the content of otherpolicies in the Local Plan such as the Site Allocations and DevelopmentManagement Policies DPD.5.2 The thematic policies and the spatial policies are complementary so it isimportant that the policy framework is read as a whole.5.1 Economy, Employment and Skills5.1.1 Gravesham's local economy is one of the smallest in Kent. The loss ofemployment in the lower skilled traditional sectors coupled with limited growthin the higher skilled, professional and office based sectors to replace this loss,together with a lack of well located, modern premises and a generally poorlyskilled workforce, have constrained local economic growth. This has resultedin a low number of jobs per head of population with significant numbers ofpeople having to travel outside the Borough for employment.5.1.2 Opportunities exist to capitalise on the strengths of the area to improveits economic position. These include: taking advantage of investment in HighSpeed Rail connections and the associated development of Ebbsfleet;proximity to the A2/M25 trunk roads; the opportunities afforded by newtechnology; the availability of previously developed sites to accommodate newemployment; and the borough's riverside location and heritage.5.1.3 The approach set out below has been developed against a backdrop ofnational economic uncertainty that has the potential to affect investmentdecisions and timing of delivery of jobs at the local level. Given there is nocertainty about the economic upturn, either in terms of when it will come orhow strong that recovery will be, the Council's economic strategy will enablethe borough to benefit from the economic upturn when it does come.111