BUS 1: Economy and employment principles

1. The council recognise the important contribution that existing and new employment land and premises make to the local economy and will support economic growth within the borough by:

• a.maintaining a strong and diverse supply of employment sites;
• b.safeguarding identified Employment Areas from non-employment uses, whilst recognising that a mix of uses including locating employment uses alongside supporting residential uses in accessible locations may be appropriate subject to maintaining the integrity of the Employment Area;
• c.supporting the intensification of employment uses on existing employment sites, including additional storeys, which achieve an overall improved configuration of uses and do not impact on the operational capability of the employment site or adversely impact on neighbouring uses;
• d.enabling the continued employment use and improvement of other employment sites;
• e.encouraging the modernisation and enhancement of existing premises seeking to adapt in line with changing needs and requirements;
• f.supporting new employment provision including the growth and development of new employment sectors that attract skilled and well-paid employment to the borough, including the voluntary, community faith and social enterprise sector;
• g.supporting proposals for new, expanded or upgraded data centres on suitable sites in appropriate locations in accordance with the policies in this chapter;
• h.supporting measures to improve local skills and provide employment opportunities;
• i.promoting the re-use of existing buildings including our mills which have potential for regeneration and adaptation for primarily employment uses, and supporting residential and mixed uses; and
• j.considering proposals favourably that factor in environmental and social governance to their design including use of sustainable construction methods, ancillary facilities that improve health and