Jobs & economy

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how the employment site protection policy works in practice. Marketing must run for at least 12 months, followed by a further 6 months at a lower price if no interest emerges. Decisions on changes of use will consider alternative employment sites nearby, effects on neighbouring uses and town centres, and demand for other non-residential uses. The policy is informed by the South Warwickshire Affordable Business Study (2026) and follows national policy on supporting economic growth.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out plans for an assumed 375 homes and up to 7,000 square metres of employment space at Sword House and 11 Duke Street in High Wycombe town centre. The 0.86 hectare site includes the Totteridge Road car park and sits a few minutes from the railway station. Sword House would be kept for employment use, mature boundary trees retained, and any lost public parking spaces replaced unless shown to be no longer needed. Better walking and cycling routes to the station are also required.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy supports the growth and improvement of existing visitor attractions and encourages new ones across South Warwickshire, subject to other plan policies. All tourism and leisure development must be sensitive to the character of the area and designed to maximise benefits for local communities through job opportunities and support for local services. Wherever possible, tourist and visitor facilities should be located in existing or replacement buildings, particularly where they sit outside settlements.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section sets out why the plan supports tourism. Stratford-upon-Avon is home to the world's most important Shakespeare heritage sites and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Other attractions include the castles at Warwick and Kenilworth, Stoneleigh Abbey, country houses such as Compton Verney and Charlecote, the canal network, and the regency buildings and parks of Royal Leamington Spa, along with Stratford Butterfly Farm and the British Motor Museum. The plan seeks growth that keeps these assets attractive, especially those linked to the historic environment.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires affordable workspace in larger employment schemes. It applies to developments of 1,000 square metres or more of employment floorspace, including major mixed-use schemes. At least 10% of the floorspace must be affordable workspace, let at rents at least 20% below average market rents and secured permanently through planning obligations. It should normally be provided on site; where that is shown to be unfeasible, off-site provision or a payment may be accepted. Exceptions must be justified by a robust viability assessment, with review mechanisms possible.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains why affordable workspace is needed. Over 80% of firms in South Warwickshire are micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and these are most exposed to rising property costs. The South Warwickshire Affordable Business Study (2026) found a constrained supply of quality office and industrial space, affordability pressures for small firms and start-ups, and limited new development because of viability. Viability testing suggested large industrial sites could deliver 10% affordable workspace at 60% of market rents.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Council Offices site on Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, for a mixed development of 500 square metres of offices, retail and healthcare plus an assumed 150 homes for NHS key workers. The 1.04 hectare site is in NHS ownership beside the River Wye. Because of high flood risk, housing is not allowed in the most flood-prone areas, and developers must produce detailed flood modelling approved by the Environment Agency before applying.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the town centre policies. Town centres serve local communities, support economic growth and act as focal points for retail, commercial, cultural, leisure, community and civic life. Changing habits, including the growth of internet shopping and the effects of the Covid pandemic, are reshaping high streets. The plan therefore aims for a flexible framework that keeps town centres vital and viable, encourages a wider mix of uses and improves the quality of the public realm.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation proposes an assumed 270 homes and around 1,125 square metres of town centre retail on the former Office Outlet site in High Wycombe. The 0.45 hectare brownfield site is close to the railway station, so a high-density, landmark scheme with fewer car parking spaces is expected. Housing must avoid the highest flood risk zones, and developers must carry out detailed surface water modelling and follow the Council's flood risk guidance for the site.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy promotes the vitality of town centres and their Primary Shopping Areas, the defined retail cores shown on the Policies Map. Within these areas, employment land cannot change to non-employment uses unless shown to be unviable, ground floor retail units are restricted to commercial uses, and housing is only permitted on upper floors. New town centre uses must suit the centre's scale and character. Edge-of-centre and then out-of-centre sites are only considered when no suitable central site exists, with impact evidence required for proposals over 280 square metres.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section explains how the town centre policy will be applied. In the main urban centres, at least 50% of units in Primary Shopping Areas should remain in retail use. It sets out the hierarchy of centres, with Leamington Spa and Stratford the most significant, Warwick and Kenilworth serving more local needs, and smaller rural towns such as Alcester and Southam acting as Local Centres. Evidence shows a need for 7.1 hectares of office land, about 57,900 square metres, up to 2050, to be met mainly through conversions rather than new site allocations.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy protects the predominantly residential areas within the town centres of Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick, as defined on the Policies Map. Within these areas, a change of use from residential to non-residential will only be permitted where the proposed use maintains the residential character of the area. It sits alongside the wider town centre policies that encourage people to live in and around town centres.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the policies on employment and road freight. It notes that employment sites can harm the road network when transport is not considered from the earliest stage, and that growing demand for large-scale storage and logistics sites has brought a matching increase in road freight traffic. The policies support strategic objectives on jobs and economic growth, net zero carbon and connecting people to places.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This policy requires new employment development to improve sustainable transport access to the site, allowing access for all users including pedestrians and cyclists where possible. It asks developments to reduce the carbon impact of freight and work-related vehicle movements. Using electric vehicles for freight, including last-mile deliveries, and building the infrastructure to support them will be supported.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section introduces the plan's approach to employment and road freight. It notes that employment sites can harm the road network if transport is not considered early, and that rising demand for large storage and logistics sites has increased lorry traffic. Policy EC.7 asks new employment development to improve sustainable transport access, cut freight carbon and support electric freight vehicles. Schemes that significantly increase freight movements must provide lorry parking, large developments need Travel Plans and transport assessments, and freight vehicles should avoid residential areas wherever possible.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation describes Aston Clinton North, a mixed development of an assumed 1,660 homes and 33,000 square metres of industrial and warehouse space on around 52 hectares of farmland. It includes a primary school and a local centre with a community hall, healthcare provision and about 1,000 square metres of shops. Access would connect to the A41 and local roads. Detailed flood modelling of the Wendover Brook is required, and permission depends on mitigation for the Chilterns Beechwoods protected area being in place.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This section describes the plan's employment land allocations. The Buckinghamshire Employment Land Review identifies a need for approximately 219 hectares of employment land to 2045, and the allocations, together with existing commitments and safeguarded areas, provide approximately 271 hectares, exceeding that requirement. The sites support offices, research, industry, storage and distribution, and key local sectors such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, film and television, and space technologies. Allocations are grouped into tiers reflecting their strategic importance.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports employment development in the High Wycombe Central Business Centre, at the heart of the town centre near the railway station. It seeks approximately 0.4 hectares of high-quality business floorspace, including offices and research and development, with around 1 hectare of new business space identified as a wider regeneration opportunity. Small-scale community and town centre uses are also supported where they add jobs and footfall without reducing the employment space delivered.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation creates a new Key Employment Area as a northern expansion of the Princes Estate, an established business area in Princes Risborough. It provides approximately 4 hectares of land for offices, industrial and storage uses, and housing is ruled out because it would undermine the employment role. Designs must limit visual impact on the Chilterns National Landscape, the Ridgeway National Trail and the Horsenden Conservation Area. Financial contributions are required towards walking and cycling links between Princes Risborough, Longwick and Chinnor.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation designates approximately twelve hectares of land north of Lower Icknield Way, Princes Risborough, as a new Key Employment Area, of which 9.6 hectares is expected to be developed for business, industrial and storage uses. The site is visible from the Chilterns National Landscape and the Ridgeway National Trail, so high-quality design and structural landscaping are required, including new hedgerow planting. Access would come from Lower Icknield Way, with contributions towards the Princes Risborough to Chinnor walking and cycling route.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation provides 4.5 hectares of employment land behind Weston Road, Aston Clinton, of which 3.6 hectares is expected to be developed. It supports the expansion of Halton Brook Business Park, an established base for medical instrument manufacturing, reinforcing the area as a hub for medical technology. Development must be coordinated with the neighbouring allocated site, keep and improve the hedgerow and trees on the western boundary, and be designed to sit comfortably alongside the homes on Weston Road.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation covers the Bucks Goat Centre and Layby Farm near Stoke Mandeville for approximately one hectare of employment land for offices, light industry and research. The Bucks Goat Centre visitor attraction can continue, be reconfigured or relocated, and existing educational uses retained or re-provided. A site-wide masterplan is required, and buildings must respect neighbouring bungalows in scale and use local materials such as timber cladding and red brick. A financial contribution to the Southeast Aylesbury Link Road is also required.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation provides 2.6 hectares of employment land behind Stokenchurch Business Park, near Junction 5 of the M40, for light industrial, general industrial and storage uses. The site lies within the Chilterns National Landscape, so proposals must take a landscape-led approach backed by a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment. Development must connect properly to the existing business park so it works as one employment area. Its proximity to the Aston Rowant protected area, about five hundred metres away, means further habitat assessment is required.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets out a 29 hectare mixed employment-led development off Drakes Drive, Long Crendon, next to the existing industrial park. Around 7.7 hectares would be business, industrial and storage space, alongside leisure uses that complement rather than compete with local facilities. Buildings must be directed to the lowest flood risk areas, with none allowed in the highest risk zone. The scheme must improve buses and provide safe walking and cycling links to Long Crendon, Thame, Haddenham and Aylesbury, guided by a site-wide masterplan.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports the continued growth of Pinewood Studios at Iver Heath as a Strategic Employment Area and a hub of national and international importance for film, television and the creative industries. The main use will be creative industries production, along with supporting facilities, research, training and related digital uses such as data centres. Other uses will only be allowed if it is robustly shown there is no reasonable prospect of keeping the site for creative industry uses. Development must also improve sustainable transport links and protect wildlife at the neighbouring Black Park Country Park.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation sets aside land at the former Finmere Aerodrome near Tingewick as a new Key Employment Area, delivering approximately 27 hectares of employment land for industrial, storage and distribution uses. Development should be masterplanned, led by landscape design, and focus on the previously developed (brownfield) parts of the former RAF airfield. Requirements include safe access from the A421, a bus turning circle, protection of the Tingewick Conservation Area and nearby Ancient Woodland, and archaeological investigation. Around 16 hectares of new employment development are expected after supporting infrastructure.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation provides approximately 2.3 hectares of flexible employment land at Rectory Farm, New Road, Weston Turville, for office, research, industrial and storage uses. The site forms part of the wider Hampden Fields strategic allocation, and development must fit with the agreed Hampden Fields masterplan and phasing. Proposals need safe vehicle access from New Road, walking and cycling links to nearby employment areas and homes, and landscape buffers to protect neighbouring residents and the countryside. Around 1.9 hectares of new employment development are expected after supporting infrastructure.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports Marlow Film Studios at Little Marlow as a film, high-end television and media production complex within the West of London Screen Cluster. The site already has planning permission following an appeal decided by the Secretary of State. Development must include improvements to the Westhorpe interchange, a new pedestrian and cycle bridge across the A404, and links to Marlow station and Bourne End. As the site sits in the Metropolitan Green Belt, proposals must protect openness, heritage assets including the Little Marlow Conservation Area, and the setting of the Chilterns National Landscape.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation designates Westcott Enterprise Zone and Venture Park, a 268 hectare Strategic Employment Area expected to deliver approximately 65 hectares of employment land for research, industrial and distribution uses. Westcott is a nationally important centre for space, robotics, drones and advanced engineering, home to around ninety businesses. The policy takes a flexible approach, allowing supporting facilities and limited, time-restricted worker accommodation where needed for the site to function, but housing must stay subordinate to the employment role. Proposals must also improve sustainable travel links to Aylesbury, Bicester and the wider area.

The human version (we wrote this, not the council)This allocation supports Silverstone Circuit and Silverstone Park at Dadford as an internationally significant motorsport destination and a centre for high-performance engineering, business, education and leisure. It backs track and event improvements, new and upgraded employment space, training facilities linked to the Silverstone University Technical College, and accommodation for students, apprentices and employees connected to the site. Proposals must protect neighbouring communities from noise and traffic, improve sustainable transport, and conserve the rural landscape and heritage assets including Luffield Priory. The site straddles the boundary with West Northamptonshire, so cross-boundary working will be important.