Policy information sourced from Bexley Core Strategy

Policy CS13 Access to jobs

The Council will assist in developing a strong and sustainable local economy, so as to contribute to London and Thames Gateway regeneration. In doing so it will aim to ensure that residents of all abilities are provided with opportunities to access training and a variety of local jobs, and enable local businesses to draw upon a wide range of skilled workers and employment premises. The Council will achieve these aims by:

  • supporting development proposals that diversify the local employment offer, particularly in bringing higher-quality and more knowledge based jobs to the borough, both within town centres such as Bexleyheath, and designated employment locations;
  • supporting development proposals that intensify land-uses, including office development, to raise employment densities and broaden the mix of business uses in employment areas;
  • reducing resident’s need to travel long distances by supporting the creation of a diverse local economy which offers a wide range of local job opportunities, particularly in Bexley’s Opportunity Areas and town centres;
  • ensuring that new development improves the quality of industrial estates and town centres, including the public realm, so as to make them more suitable and attractive locations for modern business;
  • encouraging the development of appropriate home-based business and enhancing residents’ opportunity to work from home;
  • improving the local skills base, especially by promoting voluntary work and ensuring that education and training facilities, such as Resources Plus, are available to residents in the borough;
  • encouraging businesses and developers, through planning obligations, to use locally sourced labour and where viable, to provide on-the-job training for residents seeking to improve their skills;
  • supporting the provision of workplace crèches at or in close proximity to places of training and employment;
  • facilitating growth of the visitor economy as a means to support local business, particularly by promoting the borough’s historic, cultural, recreational and environmental assets;
  • working with partners to secure investment that supports the local economy and which is consistent with Bexley’s Economic and Employment Development Strategy and Regeneration Framework; and
  • improving sustainable transport links to key employment locations, including Crossrail to Abbey Wood.

For more information please see the Bexley Core Strategy