The human version (we wrote this, not the council)
This section introduces the employment and economy chapter. The local economy relies on professional services, construction, retail and hospitality, with a notably strong film and TV sector at Warner Bros. Studios in Leavesden and many knowledge-based businesses. Many residents commute out of the district, though this has fallen since Covid. Demand for office space has declined, and the 2024 economic study finds the district has broadly the right amount for the next 15 years, but low vacancy rates mean existing offices should be protected while industrial and warehouse demand stays strong.
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.
6 Employment & Economy
Employment and Economic Development
6.1 Employment within Three Rivers District is fairly typical of the wider South West
Hertfordshire economic market area, in that it is highly dependent on professional
services, as well as construction, retail and hospitality. Three Rivers in particular,
additionally has a strong T.V and film sector at Warner Bros studios in Leavesden
and in Langleybury and a high concentration of knowledge-based industries.
6.2 Three Rivers has long had a pattern of out commuting given its proximity to London
and Watford and its attractive residential areas. Although this has declined somewhat
since COVID, particularly into London, it is still a significant feature of the employment
market.
6.3 Unemployment is generally quite low in Three Rivers with recent falls and is now
below the national average and around the average for the East of England.
6.4 Another feature of the economic market since COVID is the decline in need for office
space. Three Rivers had a significant proportion of its employment land as offices,
and as such, it has been assessed in the latest South West Hertfordshire Economic
Study (2024) that the fall in demand means that Three Rivers has broadly the right
level of office space for the next 15 years, but any changes in working patterns will
need to be kept under review. Three Rivers is also noted in the 2024 economic study
as having low vacancy levels compared to other authorities in the functional economic
market area (FEMA), so should be seeking to protect existing stock. Industry and
warehousing have continued to see strong growth across the South West
Hertfordshire FEMA and future need depends on the outcome of a number of
scenarios.
6.5 Subsequently, this policy seeks to protect employment areas and office space, while
encouraging appropriate growth in the right areas, investing in high -quality
development reflective of the characteristic companies in the district, such as life
sciences and fil