Policy information sourced from the Southwark Local Plan 2022
P30 Office and business development
- In the Central Activities Zone, town centres, opportunity areas and individual development plots within site allocations where employment re-provision is required, development must:
- Retain or increase the amount of employment floorspace on site (Gross Internal Area (GIA) of E(g), B2, B8 class use or sui generis employment generating uses); and
- Promote the successful integration of homes and employment space in physical layout and servicing in areas that will accommodate mixed use development. This will include a range of employment spaces including freight, logistics, light industry, co-working, maker spaces and offices; and
- Provide a marketing strategy for the use and occupation of the employment space to be delivered to demonstrate how it will meet current market demand.
- In exceptional circumstances the loss of employment floorspace may be accepted in the Central Activities Zone, town centres, opportunity areas and where specified in site allocations where the retention or uplift in employment floorspace on the site is not feasible. This must be demonstrated by a marketing exercise for two years immediately prior to any planning application. This should be for both its existing condition and as an opportunity for an improved employment use through redevelopment which shows there is no demand.
- Development that results in a loss of employment floorspace anywhere in the borough must provide a financial contribution towards training and jobs for local people.
- Employment uses required by this policy (Use Class E(g)) will be secured and where necessary, retained through the implementation of conditions and/or planning obligations in accordance with the tests set out in national policy.
For more information please see the Southwark Local Plan 2022