The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This policy safeguards existing employment sites in office, industrial and warehouse use. Proposals that would lose employment land or buildings will only be permitted where it is robustly shown that there is no reasonable prospect of continued employment use, backed by evidence of sustained marketing, that the use is unviable even after considering refurbishment or redevelopment, and that the change would not harm the supply of employment land needed over the plan period. The alternative use should complement remaining employment uses or bring clear community or environmental benefits.
An unofficial plain English summary. The official wording below is
what counts at examination; check it before you rely on anything here.
The text below is extracted automatically from the official PDF and may
contain artefacts; the PDF is authoritative.
cted in planning terms.
Policy EC.2
Existing Employment Sites
A. Safeguarding Existing Sites
Development proposals that would lead to the loss of employment land or buildings
(Use Classes E(g), B2 and B8) will only be permitted where it can be robustly
demonstrated that:
1. There is no reasonable prospect of the site being used for employment
purposes, supported by evidence of sustained marketing on appropriate
terms over a minimum period to be agreed with the Local Authority;
2. The continued employment use is shown to be unviable, including
consideration of refurbishment or redevelopment options;
3. The proposed alternative use would not adversely impact the supply or quality
of employment land needed to meet forecasted demand over the plan period;
and