Westcott Enterprise Zone and Venture Park

WES01: Westcott Enterprise Zone and Venture Park 1. The site, as shown on the Policies Map, is allocated as a Strategic Employment Area covering 268 hectares. The allocation is expected to deliver approximately 65 hectares of employment land comprising research and development, light industrial, general industrial and storage and distribution uses (Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8). Principle of development 2. Proposals which support the economic function and growth of Westcott Venture Park, including the designated Enterprise Zone, will be supported. 3. This includes the following uses: a) Employment uses within Use Classes B2, B8 and E(g)(i–iii). Proposals which demonstrate strong links to the site’s key sectors and have significant potential to contribute to productivity growth will be particularly supported. b) Sui generis uses closely related to and compatible with the uses in (a), where they do not undermine the primary employment function of the site. c) New employment development, including the intensification, renewal and upgrading of existing employment premises. d) Research, innovation, education and training use, including further education and skills provision that supports the development of the site as a centre of excellence in space, robotics, drones and advanced engineering. e) Ancillary and supporting uses required to support the operation and attractiveness of the site, including staff facilities, training spaces, and small-scale hotel or conference facilities in appropriate locations. f) Small-scale temporary residential accommodation for workers and visitors where this is necessary to support innovation, testing and operational requirements associated with the site. Such accommodation should: i. be time-limited in occupation. ii. remain ancillary to the primary employment function of the site. iii. be occupied only by employees, contractors, researchers, trainees or visitors connected to businesses operating at Westcott. iv. not function as general market housing; and v. be secured through planning conditions or legal agreement. a) Accommodation for students, apprentices and employees, where it is directly related to and supports the economic function of the site. b) Limited small-scale market housing, only where it can be robustly demonstrated that: i. it supports the operational needs of the site; and ii. it would not prejudice the primary employment function, viability or longterm operation of the site. iii. Supporting infrastructure, including transport and digital infrastructure, necessary to support the continued growth and function of the site. Economic integration and benefits 4. All proposals must demonstrate how they will support: a) local supply chains. b) local skills development and employment, including in accordance with Policy EC3; and Development criteria c) Buckinghamshire’s wider economic resilience and productivity. 5. All proposals will be required to demonstrate that they: a) Improve the sustainability of the site, including by enhancing opportunities for sustainable travel and delivering improved connectivity to Aylesbury, Bicester and the wider area, including links to the Bucks Greenway. b) Promote, prioritise sustainable transport measures, and reduce reliance on the private car where possible. c) Do not result in unacceptable impacts on the amenity of neighbouring uses, including through noise, disturbance or other environmental effects. d) Conserve and, where appropriate, enhance the rural setting and visual character of the surrounding countryside, with suitable mitigation where necessary. 6.547 Westcott Enterprise Zone and Venture Park are a strategically significant employment site and a key economic asset for Buckinghamshire. It forms part of the Westcott Space Cluster and is a nationally important centre for advanced engineering and research and development, including rocket propulsion, 5G and autonomous systems. The site accommodates a diverse range of sectors, including space, automotive technology, distribution, manufacturing, engineering, waste recycling and renewable energy, and is home to approximately ninety businesses. 6.548 The designated Enterprise Zone extends to approximately 35.4 hectares, within the wider strategic employment site of around 268 hectares. The site is expected to deliver approximately 65ha of new employment development, net of supporting infrastructure requirements environmental offsetting and safety restrictions. The site is located adjacent to the A41, approximately 8km north-west of Aylesbury. 6.549 The continued success of the site needs to build on its strong history of partnership working, for example with the Satellite Applications Catapult, UK Space Agency, government departments, businesses and education providers. The shared ambition is to grow the Westcott Space Cluster within the site and drive inward investment and development of existing and new facilities to support the Uk space and related industry sectors. 6.550 The policy takes a flexible approach to uses within the site to support innovation, respond to changing market conditions, and maintain the site’s competitiveness. This flexibility reflects the site’s specialist role and its location outside of established urban areas, which can present challenges in attracting and retaining businesses and skilled workers. 6.551 Limited on-site residential accommodation is supported where it is necessary to meet the operational needs of the site. This includes short-term and temporary accommodation associated with specialist facilities, such as testing and research infrastructure, which are often used on a temporary or short-duration basis. Providing on-site accommodation enables businesses to make effective use of these facilities and supports the continued growth of the site. 6.552 Any residential development must remain clearly subordinate to the primary employment function of the site and must not constrain existing or future business operations. Such uses should be carefully located and designed to avoid conflicts with operational activities, including those associated with testing and other potentially sensitive uses. This approach reflects the site’s unique characteristics and ensures that its role as a strategic employment location is not compromised. 6.553 A range of ancillary uses has already been established on the site, including conference and hospitality facilities such as the Skylark centre. Additional supporting facilities may be required over time to maintain the attractiveness and functionality of the site, and the policy supports the provision of such uses where they are proportionate and directly related to the employment function of Westcott Venture Park.