Economic Growth and Employment Land Requirements in North Hampshire (2008)
A study was undertaken by the three local authorities that make up North Hampshire (Basingstoke and Deane, Rushmoor and Hart Councils) along with Hampshire County Council to examine the future requirements for employment land up to 2026. The study was commissioned in response to a reference in the draft South East Plan that there is a shortfall of 40-60 hectares of additional employment land in North Hampshire and that most of the shortfall should be met in Basingstoke.
The study reached the following main conclusions:
- Except for a small possible shortfall of 16,700 square metres of B1 office floorspace under assumptions of higher growth in the North Hampshire economy, the pipeline of current and future employment floorspace covers the requirements for both B1 office and B8 storage and distribution uses. In fact, the most likely outcome for both uses is an over supply of floorspace and land.
- While the North Hampshire pipeline broadly meets future requirements, two further questions need to be addressed:
- Will the supply offer the right mix of uses and premises in qualitative terms?
- Will the geographical distribution of the supply support Basingstoke's strategic role as a regional hub?
The results of the study were used to:
- Inform the council's representations on the Government's Proposed Changes to the draft South East Plan which were published for consultation on 17 July 2008
- Provide part of the context for the council's Local Employment Land Review which was completed in early 2009 (see below)
A copy of the Economic Growth and Employment Land Requirements in North Hampshire report is available to download below. This was prepared by Roger Tym and Partners.
Employment Land Review (2009)
The Employment Land Review (ELR) is a key piece of the LDF evidence base. An ELR should assess and understand:
- How the local property market and economy are performing.
- What employment growth is expected in the future.
- What such growth means in terms of employment land and floorspace needs. How current and planned employment land provision can accommodate this growth in both quantitative and qualitative terms.
Together with the Economic Growth and Employment Land Requirements in North Hampshire, the results of the Borough's ELR will be used to develop the appropriate approach to employment land in the Core Strategy.
The Basingstoke and Deane ELR Final Report is available to download along with the accompanying Employment Areas Assessment document.
Please contact the LDF Team on 01256 845573 or 01256 845750 or email LDF@basingstoke.gov.uk if you have any queries.
