Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

Protection of existing employment sites5.1.18 As a result of the inherent weakness of the Gravesham local economyand the need to expand it to support choice, diversity and sustainablelifestyles, the Council considers it is important to protect existing employmentsites, unless they are truly redundant to modern needs or have been identifiedthrough this Core Strategy as suitable for regeneration to alternative uses.5.1.19 The Economy and Employment Space Study (2009) examined in detailexisting and potential employment land supply in the borough, taking intoaccount the quality and accessibility of the various sites. This found that muchof the stock comprises older premises with many poorly located. The lack ofsupply of good quality modern premises in the right places was seen as afactor in affecting levels of demand. However, the stock makes an importantcontribution to meeting local needs and little scope to release for sites forredevelopment was identified.5.1.20 The future of existing employment sites and the potential for flexibilityin terms of the types of jobs they might accommodate will be considered inmore detail through the Site Allocations and Development ManagementPolicies DPD. In the interim, a criteria based approach using market testingwill be applied to assess whether sites should be released to alternative uses.5.1.21 A similar approach is adopted to marine related uses, such ascommercial wharves and land-side support infrastructure, given the potentialfor such sites to be lost to higher value uses taking advantage of attractiveriverside locations. Policy CS 11 on Transport also applies where wharves aresafeguarded in order to protect the movement of freight and other goods bywater. Exceptions to this approach are allowed under policy where sites havespecifically been identified to support other regeneration objectives.Rural Area5.1.22 There are few major employment sites within the rural area and supplywithin or adjacent to the rural settlements, tends to be dominated by smallsites. However, such sites do facilitate sustainable lifestyles by providingopportunities for people to live and work locally and they also help to support116