The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section introduces the economy policies, which support delivery of the Local Plan's gross target of 219 hectares of new employment land, based on the Lichfields Employment and Retail Study 2025. Delivery will come through existing commitments, new allocations, intensification of existing sites and protecting employment land from loss. Employment uses cover offices, research and development, industry and storage under Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8. The policies support the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan 2025 and note that permitted development rights converting offices to homes may reduce employment floorspace.
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Economy
7.70 This section sets out development management policies to support the delivery of the Local Plan’s employment land requirement, protect existing employment sites, and support sustainable economic growth. The gross target for new employment development in the Local Plan is 219 hectares, derived from the Lichfields Employment and Retail Study (2025), as set out in Chapter 5: Spatial Strategy and Strategic Policies. Delivery will be achieved through existing commitments from 2024 onwards, new allocations, intensification of existing sites, and the protection of employment land from loss to other uses. In addition to strategic allocations, smaller-scale employment development will be supported through rural diversification, mixed-use development and redevelopment opportunities.
7.71 For the purposes of this Plan, employment uses are defined as those within Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8 of the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended), including offices, research and development, industrial processes, and storage and distribution. Sui generis uses with similar characteristics will also be considered under these policies.
7.72 The delivery of employment land supports the Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan (2025), which seeks to increase productivity and support key sectors, alongside the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. This includes strengthening the role of key centres such as Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
7.73 National policy supports the growth of advanced and emerging economic sectors. In Buckinghamshire, this includes uses such as data centres and laboratories. Requirements for data centre development are set out in Policy EC04 (Data Centres).
7.74 Permitted development rights allowing the conversion of offices and light industrial units to residential use are likely to reduce the supply of employment floorspace. The Council will monitor these changes and, through the application of development management policies, seek to ensure the retention of a sufficient and diverse portfolio of employment space to meet market needs.