Issue - meetings

a) That the Employment Land Review, attached as Appendix A to the report, was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth presented the report and highlighted that the review assessed allocated employment areas and would inform policy and planning decisions, replacing the previous 2013 review.

It was explained that policy changes and wider economic factors, including COVID-19 and Brexit, had significantly impacted employment land and that the review provided updated evidence and recommendations for the new Local Plan.

The Executive Member for Planning and Growth proposed the recommendations as detailed in the report. The Executive Member for Resident Engagement seconded the proposal.

Executive Members thanked officers for the detailed survey work and noted the useful insights provided by the review, whilst expressing concern about the gradual loss of employment sites across the district. It was queried whether these changes had been anticipated in the previous Local Plan and Members heard that whilst some changes were planned through allocations, others reflected wider shifts, including changing working patterns and hybrid working.

It was further noted that traditional employment land may reduce, alongside changing town centre uses. Further work on employment needs, including the rural economy and future land requirements, would be brought forward in due course.

The motion to support the recommendations, having been proposed and seconded, was put to the meeting and upon a vote being taken, was declared CARRIED.

RESOVLED – that (A) the Employment Land Review, attached as Appendix A to the report, was agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.