UNABLE TO ATTRACT HIGH-VALUE BUSINESS
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.25 |
| "In order to attract the higher value added industries infrastructure will need to be in place and links will need to be improved (this includes new Highways Infrastructure as well as ICT infrastructure)." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.106 |
| "A range of measures and infrastructures will need to be in place to attract the desired businesses. For instance, the creation and marketing of an attractive environment for businesses will be paramount. Knowledge-based industries, including advanced manufacturing, advanced engineering and environmental technology, are typically attracted to places that have highly sophisticated telecommunications infrastructure, an outstanding transport system, a well educated and skilled labour force, first rate community and leisure services and an image of being an enjoyable place to live, work and visit." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.22 (Income low – potential barrier to skille proffesionals) |
| "Average earnings within the town are relatively low compared with earnings in the sub-region largely as a result of the structure of the economy being made up of a high proportion of lower paid manufacturing and distribution jobs. This is likely to act as a potential barrier to attracting young, skilled professionals which will be vital to the future diversification of the town." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.105 (Gillingham focused on Manufacture and distribution) |
| "Gillingham has an economy which is focused on manufacturing and distribution and which generates lower-value employment as well as lower income levels and requires lower levels of skills. As a result, Gillingham needs to diversify its economy and encourage the creation and retention of Knowledge-based industries." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.6 |
| "The working age population of the town is relatively low. The 2001 census identified that just 56.3% of the population was aged between 16 and 64, whilst 64% of the population are within this age group. The relatively small proportion of the population that are of working age, and therefore able to participate in the labour market, could have the potential to constrain the level of economic growth in the short term." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.34 Gillingham is not attracting High-value businesses nor Knowledge based Industries |
| "Since 1994 31% of employment land developed in the District has taken place at Gillingham, which is more than any other location in the District." But in 16 years of mass development we have not attracted High-value businesses nor Knowledge based industries but rather Storage and distribution and General Industry. |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.34 |
| "Since 1994 31% of employment land developed in the District has taken place at Gillingham, which is more than any other location in the District." |
| para 52 of (The draft economic development strategy 2010-2013). (B8 B2) |
| "Property Pilot is reporting a steady increase in B8 (Storage and Distribution) enquiries and a recent slight increase in B2 (General Industry) space enquiries." |
| As para 55 correctly states "Distribution does generate traffic" so would not be suitable for the proposed Wyke development as the council have already stated in: |
| (DPD) 2.6.10 |
| "The council will work with the Highways Agency and Dorset County Council to reduce as far as possible the potential for increased trips from development at Gillingham onto the A303." |
| (Atkins Report 2009) 5.17 |
| "Gillingham is already at a relative disadvantage with poorer skills than the District and the County as a whole." This can be seen in the: (Gillingham Census Town Profile 2005) page 13 |
| In Gillingham people employed within high skill occupation is not only 10% lower than the national average but also the county average. |
| Gillingham has the lowest in intermediate skill occupation |
| But Gillingham has a higher proportion in low skill occupation |
| (New Plan) 2.8.40 |
| "Mixed-use regeneration in the Station Road area (about 4.3 ha, as identified in the Councils Employment land review) will provide a focus for office development in a location close to the existing town centre. General industrial uses will be accommodated by the continuing development of the existing employment sites at Park Farm (about 4ha in total with 1.5 ha remaining at June 2009) and the southern end of Brickfields Industrial Estate (about 11.7 ha). In the early part of the plan period, higher-value businesses will be encouraged to locate to vacant land (at least 1 ha) on the existing Neal’s Yard Remedies site at Peacemarsh, where any new development should compliment the existing landmark building. Post 2016, such businesses will be encouraged to locate to a new 10 ha "business Park" site to the west of Wyke, which is likely to meet employment land needs well beyond 2026." |
