Sustaining the development of a thriving local economy where a diverse range of local, regional and national interests are encouraged to flourish

Crawley, with its business sector and international airport, is the main economic driver in West Sussex and the sub-region. It is important to ensure that the Local Development Framework supports the growth of the local economy, but also addresses the related environmental, social and economic issues. An excessively buoyant and fast growing local economy can lead to problems such as increased in-commuting, skill shortages and increased pressure for the release of land for business and housing development.

An issue of particular importance is the need to encourage diversification of the local economy to reduce dependency on the airport and airport related sectors by providing new opportunities for high quality employment generating development.

The Core Strategy therefore seeks to balance protecting existing employment areas, alongside harnessing the important economic role of the airport, and facilitating new employment development to meet local economic objectives.

7.4 The key local economy objectives and principles are:

Employment Floorspace Provision

Crawley has been identified in RPG9, and the Regional Economic Strategy as a key area for securing economic buoyancy and a strong economy. Crawley is also central to the Gatwick Diamond and it is therefore, essential that the Core Strategy ensures adequate provision of employment floorspace to ensure economic growth for the town as well as the wider economic area.

Policy E1 outlines the amount of employment floorspace the Core Strategy is seeking to provide in conformity with the West Sussex Structure Plan's requirements. The policy also identifies the joint working partnership between the adjacent local authorities to address long term sub-regional requirements. Within this context the Council seeks to secure a more diverse economic base to promote a sustainable local economy which can contribute to the prosperity of the region. However, this is dependent on the provision of a sufficient amount of new employment floorspace.

In accordance with Government guidance and to assist employment policy formulation and spatial strategy, the Council in conjunction with Horsham District Council and Mid Sussex District Council undertook an Employment Land Review to examine supply and demand issues over the sub region. The primary conclusions of the review were that the Borough's existing employment floorspace is predominately in good condition and that the Core Strategy should adopt a strong policy stance towards the retention of existing employment areas.

The Council will continue to consider and monitor the implications of additional floorspace requirements that may emerge from the South East Plan and the impact development of Town Centre North may have on the town's employment composition and provision as a predominately retail based development.

It is also acknowledged that flexibility is required in accommodating the overall floorspace requirement for the plan period to reflect the West Sussex Structure Plan requirement being a yardstick. Furthermore, as stated at paragraph 119 of the West Sussex Structure Plan there is potential for redistribution of the District floorspace requirements of Policy NE1 to support growth at Crawley/Gatwick, with some of the Horsham and Mid Sussex District requirement being provided within Crawley in addition to its own allocation. In the Joint Area Action Plan for West and North West of Crawley consideration is being given to the provision of a strategic allocation to accommodate high quality employment uses to meet the identified needs of the area, in accordance with WSSP.

7.10 The draft South East Plan reinforces the sub-regional approach to Crawley/Gatwick and the concept of the Gatwick Diamond as a means of maintaining strong growth of the area's dynamic and generally prosperous economy. Taking this concept forward will require the development of cross-border mechanisms to consider and address the way in which the approach of the WSSP may need to be developed and adapted to identify and meet quantitative and qualitative needs within the sub-region emerging from the South East Plan.

Location of new employment development opportunities

The Council's strategy focuses on maintaining and strengthening the Town Centre and the main employment areas, whilst allowing a range of other sites to develop in order to provide a variety of opportunities. These are considered the most sustainable locations for employment and provide significant new employment opportunities.

Although Crawley currently has a strong economy, it is important that a range of sites are provided to help diversify and strengthen the economy. The existing main employment areas have an important role to play in continuing to provide new opportunities for employment. This includes the refurbishment, intensification and redevelopment of sites, especially for the more traditional types of employment that are still vital to the town's economy. However, other sites on the edge of the town, that are considered as appropriate, viable and sustainable for developing the local economy will provide a unique opportunity to attract high value firms to the town.

The approach below sets out the criteria where employment floorspace can be developed to ensure that it is in sustainable locations and can be appropriately accommodated within its location. It also identifies what type of employment floorspace is required as well as requiring any development to demonstrate what benefits it will bring to the town.

New Government advice requires all employment land to be reviewed including proposed and existing employment sites. The Employment Land Review considered supply and demand of employment land in the Borough. The policy approach also ensures that there is sufficient flexibility to consider the most appropriate employment mix for a site and potentially the most appropriate use for a site.

Protection and management of employment floorspace

There is increasing pressure to release employment land for other types of development, especially leisure and housing. It is important to ensure a sufficient supply of employment land in the town to support the key economic objectives of this Core Strategy. However, in exceptional circumstances some sites may be suitable for alternative uses, although any loss of employment provision needs to balance the growth of the economy, the Core Strategy's economic objectives and the pressure to accommodate alternative uses, particularly residential.

Given that there is a finite supply of land within the Borough it is important that all of the town's needs are balanced. Any loss of employment land to other uses such as residential must not restrain the economy in the longer term. Therefore, all employment sites, and particularly main employment areas are protected unless proposals can demonstrate that they satisfy the policy criteria. This policy stance towards employment protection is supported by the Employment Land Review, however, it does allow sufficient flexibility for proposals for alternative uses to be considered appropriately.

Small employment sites/provision

7.16 In order to promote the diversification of the economy and new business start ups, there is a need to encourage smaller unit accommodation. The West Sussex Structure Plan, Regional Guidance and the Employment Land Review highlight a need to facilitate new businesses and to plan for the evolving changes in working practices. Such employment uses and premises may be appropriately located away from the Main Employment Areas; therefore, it is important to ensure that they do not have a negative impact on their surroundings. A balance between provision and amenity must therefore be considered for each proposal.