Policy information sourced from the Guildford Local Plan: Strategy and Sites

E2: Location for new employment floorspace

The Plan aims to ensure sustainable employment development patterns, promote smart growth (see glossary) and business competitiveness, and allow flexibility to cater for the changing needs of the economy.

The following will be supported:

  • the retention, creation and development of small local business by encouraging a range of types and sizes of new premises including incubator units, managed workspace and serviced office accommodation
  • the provision of essential ancillary employment facilities close to places of employment
  • rural economic development opportunities
  • proposals which come forward to redevelop outmoded employment floor space and cater for modern business needs.

Office and Research & Development:

Proposals for new office and research & development (B1a and B1b) floorspace will be directed sequentially to Guildford town centre, and Office and Research & Development Strategic Employment Sites24. Only if sites cannot be found should edge of centre sites and locations within 500m of a public transport interchange be considered.

The sequential approach does not apply to proposed floorspace included in the site allocations in the Local Plan.

The expansion of existing offices in locations outside the town centre and Strategic Employment Sites should be limited to 25% or less of the existing office and R&D floorspace.

If the expansion of existing offices in locations outside the town centre and Strategic Employment Sites exceeds 25% of the existing office and R&D floorspace of the planning application site boundary on a site-by-site basis, it will need to be demonstrated that:

  • there are operational needs of business for on-site expansion,
  • there are no suitable sites available in the town centre and the Strategic Employment Sites,and
  • the site is accessible, or can be made accessible, bysustainable modes of transport.

Industrial, warehousing and storage:

Proposals for new industrial, warehousing and storage (B1c, B2 and B8) floorspace will be directed to the Industrial Strategic Employment Sites and any sites where this use class of floorspace is included in the site allocation in the LocalPlan.

All B class development:

Proposals for the provision for small business units (less than 50 sq m), suitable for start-ups and SME will be encouraged.

Proposals, particularly those of over 5,000 sq m, will be encouraged to provide childcare facilities on or close to the site.

For more information please see the Local Plan