Viable Placemaking saves over 100 jobs

Viable Placemaking are thrilled to have supported in saving over 100 jobs for a major business in the south east.

Recently, a business in the south east received an enforcement notice for the unauthorised use of land as storage and distribution (Use Class B8), which was adjacent to the existing logistics company's lawful land. In response, the business owners submitted an Enforcement Appeal.

As part of the Ground (a) appeal under Section 174 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the appellants sought to demonstrate the employment and economic impacts of the development. Although there was an extensive site history, the wider employment and economic impacts of the site and existing business had not been thoroughly considered.

Viable Placemaking were instructed to support with an Enforcement Appeal, including providing an extensive assessment of the economic impacts of the scheme. We found that the site made a significant contribution towards the local economy far beyond what might ordinarily be expected of a similar use. This was determined through a variety of economic measurements, and asserted the following key findings:

• The turnover and GVA of the existing business far exceeded that which would ordinarily be produced by a similar use, including a turnover of almost £50m in the last decade.

• By virtue of the specific needs of the business, there were no alternative sites in the area to which the business could relocate.

• The business employs 110 members of staff - over double that which would typically be expected for a similar site.

• The business provided substantial economic benefit to the wider region and UK as a whole.

• The site was a significant benefit to the rural economy and represented a Functional Economic Market Microcosm through its connections and wider economic links in the area.

The Inspector found the evidence persuasive and, in the context of the available sites and economic development, gave substantial weight to the economic benefits of the development, as reccomended by Viable Placemaking. When considered against the impacts of the development - which included factors such as ancient woodland, drainage, and landscape impact - the Inspector found that the benefits outweighed any impacts, and allowed the appeal.

Development economics can often be reduced to numbers but, in this case, the real-life impacts of expert advice and the planning system are clear. 110 jobs have been saved and the business will be able to continue to operate, providing a substantial benefit to the local economy and the region.

We frequently work alongside developers, architects, and fellow planning consultants to provide expert advice and reports on these factors to support developments around the UK. For more information on how we can help with your development, please don't hesitate to get in touch.