Agenda item

The Principal Planning Policy Officer submitted a report regarding the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study and inviting the Panel to agree that it can be used as part of the evidence base for the new Local Plan and as a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

Members were advised that the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study attached at Appendix A was the fourth and final study covering the employment positions in the main towns. The study provides an assessment of the employment market in the town and makes recommendations about the type of jobs and employment land likely to be required. This was the first such study for Sawbridgeworth and the town had a much smaller land employment land market than the other main towns.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer advised that Sawbridgeworth did not have any designated employment sites in the district plan. The Panel was advised however that as a main town, officers felt that it was important that Sawbridgeworth was included to ensure that there was a comprehensive understanding of all the main urban areas in the district.

Members were advised that, as with the other towns, local employment sectors had been shaped by societal changes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit alongside the changes to the use class order which allows businesses more flexibility to change between uses without planning permission.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that with a focus on both office and industrial sectors, there was once again also some crossovers with the retail and town centre study work. To ensure that all of the built-up area of Sawbridgeworth was included with the analysis, the study area also covers Lower Sheering in Epping Forest district and draws on the advice of local commercial agents.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that the report covers the conclusions and recommendations in paragraphs 3.5 to 3.10 of the study and covered in particular on three key points and these were summarised for the Panel.

Members were advised that the study revealed that the population growth for Sawbridgeworth had been relatively modest and many residents out commute. The scale of pressure for new office and industrial employment land is not significant, and new land was unlikely to limit the scale of out commuting.

The Panel was advised that the study concludes that employment growth is better focussed within the larger centres such as Harlow and Gilston Garden Town and Bishop’s Stortford. The study recognises employment opportunities should be protected and encouraged in Sawbridgeworth, and this includes potentially safeguarding existing employment clusters and supporting opportunities for infill development and refurbishment.

The Principal Planning Policy Officer said that, when considered alongside other studies within the evidence base, the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study will effectively support decisions about the future economic strategy for Sawbridgeworth.

The Panel was advised that this report asks Members to agree that the study becomes part of the evidence base for the new local plan and was a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The Chair of the Panel had noted that the study area was relatively compact and mostly focused on the town centre unlike some of the other towns. She commented that all of the towns were slightly different.

Councillor Crystall welcomed the report and referred to the presence of a major lawn mower manufacturer in the town, noting that this had been of particular interest. He sought clarification on the likely impact of the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town within the District Plan period and asked whether this had been considered within the study.

In response, officers confirmed that the report identifies Harlow and Gilston Garden Town as a key influence on future employment demand within the area. Members were advised that feedback from commercial agents had indicated that the scale of development at Gilston, together with existing commuting patterns and links to Harlow, was likely to have a significant effect on Sawbridgeworth.

Members who were not on the panel indicated that the impact and contribution of Gilston would be significant in terms of employment and the report was a fair assessment. They highlighted discussions held with Places for People regarding the proposed skills hub, with a particular emphasis on construction employment. A comment was made that links with educational providers, including Hertford Regional College, would help create opportunities from the associated growth.

Councillor Dumont proposed and Councillor Crystall seconded, a motion that the Executive be advised that (A) the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study, attached as Appendix A, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications and (B) any minor amendments to the content of the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.

After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED - that the Executive be advised that (A) the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study, attached as Appendix A, be agreed as part of the evidence base to inform the new East Herts Local Plan and as a material consideration for Development Management purposes in the determination of planning applications; and

(B)   any minor amendments to the content of the Sawbridgeworth Employment Study be delegated to the Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Growth.