Employment Space ::
- Identification and prioritisation of key sites
- Develop a programme of intervention to bring forward the key sites on a phased basis.
Consultants are now engaged to assist in delivering the Strategic Investment Framework (SIF) for Convergence in relation to workspace. A consultation draft is due by the end of July. This will provide significant impetus in identifying and prioritising key sites and facilitating/resourcing a programme of intervention to bring them forward.
In addition relevant District Councils are preparing SIFs for various key towns which are also likely to incorporate workspace provision.
A dedicated sub group of the CEF Sites and Premises Group has been established to focus on implementation and delivery of the ESSA and associated LAA outcome. Work undertaken on the ESSA 2007-2017 is informing District Council's in relation to the allocation of sufficient and appropriate land for employment uses. The RDA are finalising their strategy to introduce sites in Helston, Penzance, Bodmin, St Columb and Torpoint to the market and are supporting delivery of other sites such as at Hallenbeagle. District Councils are also actively endeavouring to bring forward employment land and there is notably activity across all District Councils currently. There is also related work related to development of Strategic Investment Frameworks for Convergence which will have an impact including a County wide business infrastructure/employment space SIF. CCC are currently reviewing their property portfolio to ascertain if any surplus assets could be brought forward for employment space/economic development purposes.
The Convergence SIF should be concluded in 2008. This will include an action plan with timescales. In parallel work is ongoing in relation to identifying proposed workspace schemes across Cornwall to inform the SIF.
No specific PIs in Convergence or the LAA.
None.
None.
Without suitable development sites the overall quantum of employment space required in Cornwall is very unlikely to be met. This will impact on a number of strategies including specific elements in S&A 07-21, the LAA and the Convergence Programme.
The largely out of date planning policy and potential decision making delays during the move to One Cornwall are potential blockages which need to be monitored and discussed.
Capacity and resource is always a consideration when the activity is being facilitated by the public sector. Convergence will not solve this as there are rules limiting the amount of funding which can be spent on site acquisition. A key issue relates to delay caused by intervention by the Highways Agency (and sometimes other statutory agencies). There are currently over 20 development sites in Cornwall affected by Highways Agency controls. A list has been compiled. Meetings are being arranged between representatives of the Sites and Premises Group and the Highways Agency. Other stakeholders including the RDA are also in discussions with them. Work is ongoing to improve the relationship between planning, economic development and the Highways Agency through early engagement.
02/10/08
S&A refers to the "Employment Space Strategy" and the fact that it will be "sequenced" so that public sector funding reduces over time. We still need an Employment Space Strategy rather than the "Assessment" we have recently completed.
What needs to be tackled first? How much land should each district allocate in their LDF? There needs to be agreement on these and other points.
Have "key" sites been identified and prioritised?
To provide appropriate employment space in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
This forms the basis of a current LAA outcome - Econ4.
The milestones in the LAA are as follows:
Quarter 1
Commence work on the Convergence Priority 2 Business Infrastructure/Workspace Strategic Investment Framework
- Work has commenced and is well underway. External consultants are engaged. A sub group of the CEF Sites and Premises Group - the Employment Space Delivery Group - is steering the process.
Quarter 2
Complete a draft Convergence Priority 2 Business Infrastructure/Workspace Strategic Investment Framework, including a period for consultation
- A consultation draft is due to be completed and circulated imminently.
Facilitate a meeting with CCC Highways and the Highways Agency in relation to delivery of the SIF
- CCC Highways and the Highways Agency have been consulted as part of the SIF development process. Another meeting will be necessary in the Autumn as the SIF completes.
Facilitate a meeting with One Cornwall planning and economic development in relation to delivery of the SIF
- Initial meetings have been held with relevant One Cornwall teams. This needs to continue in order to ensure public planning and economic development functions work coherently and as a positive tool to delivery.
Quarter 3
Prepare a plan to implement the actions emerging from the SIF
As a general comment, this activity will be lead by the private sector with support/facilitation from the public sector. There are a significant number of potential employment space schemes in the pipeline across Cornwall. However, there is a currently a lack of schemes which are either on site or approaching being on site. Therefore there is unlikely to be significant delivery over the coming 2 years. It is key that the foundations are put in place over the next 12 months to deliver appropriate and significant employment space over the next 5 to 10 years.
Ongoing. See targets below.
None.
Employment space created for B1, B2, B8 uses (new or upgraded) 2008/2009 - 8,000 sq ms
Employment space in development for B1 B2 and B8 uses (new or upgraded) 2008/2009 - 10,000 sq ms
% of B1, B2 and B8 employment in development receiving public sector funding targeting BREEAM (or equivalent) Excellent standard 2008/2009 - 35%
See above.
The provision of suitable employment space plays a key role in raising business productivity and achieving sustainable economic growth. It can enable indigenous businesses to compete effectively and expand, attract inward investors and encourage entrepreneurs to set-up and grow their businesses. Furthermore, the creation of employment space can help to diversify and strengthen the economic base by facilitating the growth of key sectors and also help to address issues such as sustainability.
The health of the economy is having a significant impact on workspace viability and development and is out of the control of this outcome. This is now a real issue which will need to be monitored. It is likely to significantly impact on the capacity of the private sector to deliver workspace to the levels required over the next 2 years, particularly in Cornwall where the current pool of private sector developers has capacity limits.
A large number of employment space schemes in Cornwall are currently being held up by highways issues. This has had an impact on the delivery of indicators. In addition, moving forward it will be critical to remove barriers linked to Cornwall's largely out of date planning policy and any delays resulting from its move towards Unitary status.
The overall level of economic development delivery staff is likely to remain an issue over the next LAA year, until such time as the proposed Cornwall Development Company is fully operational and resourced. Capacity is a key issue covering planning, economic development and funding activities.
Insufficient consultation may result in facilitation of employment space solutions which are not correct for Cornish business. The Employment Space Strategic Assessment which underpins this outcome and the emerging Convergence Strategic Investment Framework include(d) widespread consultation. Consultation will need to continue into the future, particularly with business.
02/10/08
What do we mean when we refer to the use of "existing assets" in the facilitation of employment space development?
Section 106 contributions are a touchy subject in this context. We need to be clear as to whether we are targeting house builders for contributions towards provision of employment space, or developers of other commercial projects for contributions towards wealth creating or knowledge based employment space or other infrastructure. How real is the potential for S106 contributions without them becoming a disincentive to development?
Support the knowledge economy, target sectors and incubation.
Delivering the above outcomes also benefits this outcome. Effort is currently being focussed on the three proposed innovation centres. Much progress has been made particularly for the planned centres at Pool and Tremough and the intention is to be on site at Pool this year and Tremough early 2009. The proposed centre at Treliske is also being actively progressed. Business and master planning work is also been progressed in relation to future CUC/educational related investments.
Planning consent received for Tremough Innovation Centre.
The main barrier at Pool relates to project governance and finalising the business plan. Both of these aspects are now agreed and funding is in place.
See above.
None.
There are complex targets, outputs and outcomes associated with each innovation centre as detailed in the individual business plans currently being finalised.
None.
Delivering the 3 planned innovation centres is a key element of a number of strategies including Strategy & Action and Convergence.
The main barrier at Tremough relates to planning and project governance but progress is being made. A planning application has recently been submitted.
02/10/08
We need to be clear about what it is that we can support other than the three incubators.