Strategic Policy 8: Economic Growth
Economic Growth Strategy
Government guidance requires local authorities to plan proactively to meet the needs of business and support a successful local economy. In order to deliver a step change in economic growth in the District the Council has produced an Economic Development Strategy, which establishes the Council's aspirations and vision for economic growth both in overall terms, and through specific opportunities that exist in the District.
The strategy identifies the following key themes and objectives, which inform proposals set out in this Local Plan.
1. Creating economic value:
a. To develop an attractive, broad based economic identity for the District, capitalising on its economic advantages and its connections to London and international gateways.
b. By 2040 the District will be positioned as a highly desirable and attractive location to do business and for inward investment.
c. By 2040 the District will be the first choice of location for industries in relation to life sciences, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and logistics.
d. Dover will be a key business destination in Kent with first class facilities for start ups, enterprise growth and innovation.
2. Delivering infrastructure for business needs
a. By 2040, Dover will have a portfolio of employment space to meet modern business needs, including development sites able to accommodate growth and inward investment opportunities.
b. Increase investment in skills and training to promote the District’s human capital, helping to retain young people and increase opportunities for all communities.
c. All of Dover’s businesses and residents will be able to benefit from the advantages of easy, quick and reliable digital connections through new investment in infrastructure.
3. Revitalising our town centres
a. All of the District’s town centres will offer a more diverse retail and leisure offer, excellent public realm, high quality town centre living and a thriving evening economy.
b. Dover Town Centre will develop a new role as a hub for start up and scale up enterprises through the provision of new workspace concepts.
c. The town centres will play a key role as part of White Cliffs Country in being hubs for an expanded visitor economy and cultural offer that can support richer experiences for residents and visitors alike.
4. Growing the visitor economy
a. Encourage investment in the tourism industry.
b. Attract new providers and increase the number of visitors coming to the district.
c. Encourage visitors to invest their time, stay longer and to spend more when they are here.
d. Encourage residents and visitors to help us spread the word about the District’s range of visitor experiences.
5. Supporting the rural economy
a. Support opportunities across Dover’s rural area and villages to promote diversification, sustainable development and economic growth.
b. Promote the role of key sectors and employment sites within the rural economy, and the development of new workspace hubs to complement housing growth across the network of settlements.
c. Secure investment to ensure the rural area has access to good quality, resilient infrastructure that facilitates sustainable travel choices and promotes the green economy.
This provides the opportunity to promote a stronger economic narrative and Plan, and make the case for further investment and funding to unlock key sites and guide future development in the District, particularly in the absence of a strong 'quantitative case'.
Other issues beyond employment are also relevant within the context of developing a new Local Plan that facilitates economic growth in Dover, for example wider ‘place making’ priorities; creating attractive places to live and work through revitalising the existing built environment and creating new spaces; town centre regeneration; and infrastructure provision. These issues are covered in other sections of the Plan, but should be considered as part of this strategy.
As stated above, until the Economic Development Needs Assessment is updated, it is not possible to set out a specific jobs target or the amount of land that is to be allocated . This evidence will be updated to inform the Regulation 19 version of the Plan. This policy will set out a target for future job growth in the District, and identify the amount and type of land that is to be allocated within the Local Plan in order to support the delivery of the economic strategy.
Strategic Policy 8: Economic Growth
The Council will support proposals which deliver economic prosperity, jobs growth, tourism and inward investment and contribute to the delivery of economic growth in the District.
A higher level of jobs growth will be planned for, and land will be allocated to fully meet the needs that are identified.