Deposit Draft Local Development Plan - Rhondda Cynon Taf

employment growth in Rhondda Cynon Taf are:-• Built Environment;• Social Enterprise;• High Tech Manufacturing;• Knowledge Based Industries.4.53. There have been recent changes in the economy of Rhondda Cynon Tafthat are likely to have an impact upon employment land sites. Theseinclude decreasing employment in manufacturing sectors; increasinglevels of employment in construction; distribution, hotels & restaurants;transport & communications; banking, finance & insurance; etc; andpublic administration, education & health. Forecasts predict a continuedfall in manufacturing employment and continued increase in employmentin the service sector. A key issue is to ensure that the changing needs ofbusinesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf are reflected in the supply ofemployment sites throughout the County Borough.4.54. Recent studies have established that the overall supply of employmentland is healthy. The current supply does not however, meet future needs,in terms of:• Type of employment sites and units available;• Meeting the demand from micro-businesses;• The quality of office space, including town centre provision.4.55. Concerns also exist regarding the redundant nature of industrial space –the ‘large box syndrome’ of provision built during the 1980s; the perceivedpoor environment of some employment sites including difficultaccessibility in many areas and a mismatch of supply around the M4 area.Where appropriate, proposals to modernise redundant sites, including thesubdivision of large premises to create smaller units, will be supported.4.56. In identifying different types of employment sites, the Council will ensurethat a range of enterprises and employment uses can be accommodatedwithin the County Borough over the life of the plan. It will ensure that sitesare well related in relation to existing settlements and infrastructure, inorder to utilise existing physical and social infrastructure, reduce the needto travel and provide job opportunities for all.4.57. The LDP recognises the role of Rhondda Cynon Taf in the Capital Regionand that the provision of appropriate land for employment, housing andtransport development is integral to the success of the wider region.Developments such as the Dragon Film Studios in Llanharan, the proposedInternational Business Park near Junction 33 of the M4 and the TrainingCentre for the Combined Armed Forces at RAF St Athan, will have regionaleconomic benefits. The LDP will look to support these developments andensure that the County Borough benefits from the opportunities they willdeliver. The Strategic Sites at Mwyndy and Hirwaun have the potential tomake a significant contribution to the economic development of the widerregion and employment allocations on these sites have been identified tosupport regional economic initiatives.4.58. A range of sites have been identified throughout the County Borough toprovide employment opportunities for those who do not require majoremployment sites. These sites will accommodate smaller-scale uses andusers that require traditional industrial estate locations. Local sites willencourage new and start up-business growth and could accommodatenew waste facilities.4.59. There are no Simplified Planning Zones (SPZs) identified or proposedwithin the LDP. The Council will keep under review the desirability ofintroducing such a scheme for part or parts of the County Borough.4.60. Details of the Strategic Sites are contained in policies NSA 4 to NSA 8 andpolicies SSA 7 to SSA 9. Details of each of the non- strategic sites arecontained in Appendix 1.36Preserving Our Heritage, Building Our Future