Skills and local employment

EC4: Skills and local employment 1. New major developments of 100 or more dwellings or 1,000 sqm or more floorspace in Use Classes B2, B8 or E (g) of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) will be required to deliver measurable local employment, skills and training outcomes proportionate to the scale and nature of the development. 2. Proposals must be supported by a Local Employment and Skills Plan (LESP) to be agreed with the Council, setting out how the development will support local skills, employment and inclusive economic growth during both construction and operational phases. 3. The LESP will be secured and monitored through a Section 106 planning obligation, and will include clear targets, indicators and reporting arrangements. The LESP should, were proportionate and viable, address: a) Provision of construction jobs, apprenticeships, and upskilling opportunities for residents. b) the longer-term occupancy of the development in securing jobs and apprenticeships for local people in its operational phase. c) How the proposed development links with local schools, the College, Universities and other education providers d) Measures to promote opportunities for local businesses and supply chains, in a manner consistent with procurement regulations; and e) Other appropriate measures to support local skills and employment. 4. Proposals shall demonstrate how skills and employment measures contribute to inclusive growth, including improving access to employment opportunities for young people, local residents and groups under-represented in the labour market, and how they align with the Council’s economic growth objectives, priority sectors and skills strategies, including modern economy uses. Where it is demonstrated that full compliance is not viable, the Council will work with applicants to agree appropriate alternative measures. 7.90 Buckinghamshire Skills and Employment Strategy 2024–2029 identifies the need to improve skills, support access to employment and enhance inclusive economic growth. This policy supports delivery of that strategy by ensuring that new development contributes to local employment and training opportunities. 7.91 Major development can generate significant employment opportunities during both construction and operational phases. Securing these benefits locally helps support economic resilience, improve productivity and enhance life chances for residents. 7.92 Evidence indicates a clear need for this intervention. In 2021, 26,930 Buckinghamshire residents aged 18–64 had no qualifications (Census), and in 2023 approximately 9,600 residents were not in work but wished to be (ONS Population Survey). Improving access to training and employment opportunities is therefore critical to supporting the local economy and reducing inequalities. 7.93 The thresholds in this policy reflect the scale at which development can deliver meaningful employment and skills outcomes, while ensuring that requirements remain proportionate and viable. 7.94 For the purposes of this policy, ‘local’ refers primarily to Buckinghamshire, while recognising functional economic relationships with neighbouring areas 7.95 Delivery will be secured through Section 106 planning obligations. These are necessary to ensure that employment and skills outcomes are delivered as part of development and are directly related to its scale and nature. Financial contributions will only be sought where they meet the statutory tests for planning obligations. 7.96 Local Employment and Skills Plans (LESPs) will set out site-specific measures, targets and monitoring arrangements, to be agreed with the Council. Early engagement will ensure that employment and skills measures are effectively embedded within development proposals.