Policy information sourced from South Bucks Core Strategy Development Plan Document

Core Policy 10: Employment

Important employment sites will be retained in employment use (B Use Class). A subsequent Development Management DPD will identify the important employment sites in South Bucks District.

There will be a general presumption that other employment sites (B Use Class) will also be retained in employment use (B Use Class). In limited circumstances, including where there is no reasonable prospect of a site being used for the permitted purpose, or where the site is creating significant amenity issues, the priority will be for the site or premises to be reused or redeveloped (where appropriate) for an alternative economic use (i.e. a use which provides employment opportunities, generates wealth or produces an economic output or product).

The change of use of employment land and floorspace (B Use Class) to retail use (outside of the District and Local Centres defined in Core Policy 11) will only be permitted in limited circumstances - where there is evidence that the proposal would not have a significant adverse impact upon nearby District and Local Centres, and there are no sequentially preferable alternative sites available.

Should a significant imbalance between local job opportunities and the size of the resident workforce arise, the District Council will identify any employment land to be released for alternative uses, or the preferred location for new employment generating floorspace, through the LDF process.

New employment development will be accommodated in the District and Local Centres, on the Opportunity Sites and through appropriate intensification on existing employment sites excluded from the Green Belt, where there is good access by a variety of transport modes.

The Council will work with key stakeholders to improve access to high speed and next generation broadband throughout the District by supporting the provision of necessary new ICT infrastructure.

The Council will seek to increase the presence of high value and knowledge based businesses in South Bucks. Support will be given to small-scale and start-up businesses, by promoting and supporting home-working (where there is no adverse impact on residential amenity) and encouraging the provision of managed workspace. The Council will also support rural diversification schemes, providing they benefit the local community.

Further guidance on the application of this Core Policy will be provided in the Development Management DPD.

For more information please see the Core Strategy Development Plan Document