Issue - meetings

Matter for Decision: To consider the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Employment Land Review: Update 2012.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Climate Change:

 

The Executive Councillor resolved;

 

a) To consider the findings of the Employment Land Review 2012;

 

b) To endorse the Employment Land Review for use as an evidence base for the review of the Local Plan and as a material consideration in planning decisions (Appendix A of the committee report).

 

Reason for the Decision:

 

As per the officer report

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

 

Not Applicable

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

 

The committee received a report from the Planning Policy and Economic Development Officer, which provided an update on the Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire Employment Land Review: Update 2012. 

 

i.          Clarification was requested on the nature of the proposals for Alconbury, and whether this would result in a transfer of businesses from Cambridge. The enterprise zone has been set up to avoid displacement. Businesses can only locate to the enterprise zone from within the local area if it is doing this in order to achieve growth. The Employment Land Review Update 2012 notes that for businesses in Cambridge the market view is such that firms will be reluctant to relocate there because it is isolated. It is hoped that the enterprise zone will complement the Cambridge Cluster by providing employment land that will be used for manufacturing the "ideas" from the Cluster. Officers provided further examples on potential circumstances in which business may be permitted to re-locate from Cambridge to Alconbury.

 

ii.          Further information was requested on the current thinking in relation to the provision of strategic employment land. Officers explained that the process was ongoing and that a number of options were being considered, but the committee were assured that the city was being considered as a whole.

 

iii.                In response to a question, the Planning Policy Manager confirmed that no sites had been identified at this stage for start up companies and social enterprise.

 

iv.               Members suggested it would be useful to highlight existing land commitments in the report. An update was requested on the provision of employment sites. Officers advised that the existing commitments principally those located in Cambourne and Landbeach, had experienced low levels of demand.

 

v.                 Officers were asked if there was anything that could be done to expedite the provision of the existing commitments. The committee was advised that officers were in regular discussion with the key stakeholders to bring forward developments. Officers also provided clarification on the limits proposed types of industry.

 

The Scrutiny Sub Committee considered and endorsed the recommendations by 5 votes to 0.

 

The Executive Councillor agreed the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

 

N/A