Littleport Vision 2 JDR, a Leading Provider of Technology Connecting the Global Offshore Energy Industry, Is Based in Littleport
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Littleport Vision 2 JDR, a leading provider of technology connecting the global offshore energy industry, is based in Littleport. Executive Summary The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough A number of sites for employment and housing Combined Authority (CPCA) is working have been identified through the ECDC Local alongside District Councils to produce a new Plan process. But whilst there is a willingness Growth Masterplan for every Market Town. to develop these sites, delivery is constrained by the ability to deploy the appropriate The Littleport plan, the Littleport Vision 2030, infrastructure provision. aims to increase economic output (GVA) and ensure Littleport residents have access to a The vision document is about attracting good job within easy reach of home. investment. The Littleport Vision 2030 demonstrates how a relatively small financial The plan seeks to increase the GVA output of input can unlock and accelerate delivery of Littleport to help achieve the Cambridgeshire these sites. and Peterborough Combined Authority commitment to double the size of the The two commercial projects need around Cambridgeshire and Peterborough economy £3.5m to enable and will result in a 38% over the next 25 years. increase in GVA. The Eco Business Park drives GVA productivity output by developing higher Alongside this, improvements to the town level jobs within the local economy. centre, the station gateway and the creation of a country park will make Littleport a vibrant and The A10 Roundabout projects also create attractive fenland community. jobs and additional GVA, but not factored here is the enabling of housing development in Littleport is a small market town, but one that is close proximity. Both projects therefore have growing fast. However, a lack of available business potentially strong returns for relatively low premises is hindering employment growth. investments. Littleport Vision 2030 3 Introduction The Littleport Vision 2030 is Increased economic output and improved opportunities for the people of Littleport to work nearer to home. An enhanced town centre, station gateway and a new country park. The Combined Authority is committed to A Masterplan for Growth will mean that in the future prosperity and success of every every single town there is: market town in the county and is investing in making this a reality through the masterplan • A shared ambition for the future which programme. authorities, businesses and communities can unite behind; The Devolution Deal with Government, • Which focuses collective resources against secured in March 2017, included a target to the same priorities, and crucially; increase economic output by nearly 100% in the • Which unlocks new investment from the next 25 years, from £22bn to over £40bn. The CPCA and other agencies Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Independent Littleport is a small market town of more than Economic Review (CPIER) highlights the actions 10,000 people, located on the A10 between needed to achieve this and make the region Ely and Downham Market. The communities of a leading place in the world to live, learn and Black Horse Drove and Little Ouse form part work. Market towns are expected to contribute of Littleport parish, although they are separate to this GVA Growth. settlements. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough A significant amount of housing development Combined Authority (CPCA) is working in has taken place in Littleport in recent years, partnership with local authorities to develop a within the built up area of the town and on new Masterplan for Growth for every market town sites to the west, but a number of employment in the combined authority area. These will be sites remain undeveloped. non-statutory plans that establish how the future growth of the town will contribute to the Combined Authority’s 2030 ambitions: • Access to a good job within easy reach of home (which should include analysis of the sectors which will play the most significant role in the economic future of the town) • Healthy, thriving and prosperous communities • A workforce for the modern world, founded on investment in skills and education • Environmentally sustainable • UK’s capital of productivity and innovation 4 5. Linkage to the wider Cambridgeshire Local Industrial Strategy (LIS) 6. Mechanisms for unlocking inward investment Underpinning this work are the key objectives of increasing economic growth and developing opportunities, for the people of Littleport, so that they can live and work in their community. As a measure of future economic growth, the Vision adopts the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) commitment to double the size of the wider economy over the next 25 years as its own goal. An adopted Gross Value Added (GVA) measurement will be used to calculate baseline and future success against the Vision’s ambitions. There are not sufficient jobs for all residents and many people commute out of the town The East Cambridgeshire Local Plan contains for work in Ely and elsewhere. One of the key policies for Littleport and a study of the challenges facing Littleport will be to provide regionally important A10 trunk road, which future commercial and employment growth in runs adjacent to the town has been conducted. the town to offer stronger alternatives to out- This work has produced a considerable commuting. amount of information which will be used to identify the key interventions needed to deliver The town centre is a vital community hub, but employment growth for local people in the has a limited range of shops and in common Littleport area and to increase GVA. with the wider Cambridgeshire economy, has seen the loss of retail floor space, which has The output from the process, this Littleport been reallocated to other uses, particularly Vision 2030 document, is a prospectus for housing, in recent years. Littleport which identifies the infrastructure required to deliver each site, an indication A number of sites for employment and housing of needed interventions and sources of have been identified through the ECDC Local investment, with an impact analysis on growth Plan process. But whilst there is a willingness (GVA) for the area. to develop these sites, delivery is constrained by the ability to deploy the appropriate Interventions that will be explored include: infrastructure provision. Funding is needed to 1. A Littleport business growth zone unlock these sites and accelerate growth. extending south along the A10. 2. The creation of a ‘Gateway area’ close The Littleport Vision 2030 is being led at a to the railway station local level to consolidate the many positive 3. Options for Littleport town centre aspects of the town’s ambitions to achieve 4. Housing and amenity development growth and prosperity for its people and 5. Investment in skills and innovation businesses. To support this, East Cambridgeshire 6. Continued Improvement in digital District Council (ECDC) has worked with key connectivity stakeholders and representatives to consider; The Littleport Vision 2030 sets out how these 1. The Local Plan sites can start to deliver jobs and homes as 2. Transport and connectivity soon as possible 3. Further housing provision and local amenity 4. Viability of sustainable employment and Littleport Vision 2030 commercial development growth 5 East Cambridgeshire Local Plan 2015 555000.000000 556000.000000 557000.000000 LIT 4 Policies Map (April 2015) Littleport (Insert Map 8.25) Key: Development Envelope Housing allocation LIT 3 Employment allocation Housing led/mixed use LIT X Local Plan Policy Town centre boundary Conservation Area Mobile Home Park County Wildlife Site Mineral & Waste Existing Site Waste Consulation Area CWS 34 .000000 .000000 Water Treatment Works Safeguarding Area LIT 1 287000 287000 LIT 2 .000000 .000000 286000 286000 ± © Crown copyright. East Cambridgeshire All rights reserved 100023279 (2015) District Council Not to scale 555000.000000 556000.000000 557000.000000 555000.000000 556000.000000 557000.000000 1 LIT 4 Policies Map (April 2015) The adopted 2015 East Cambridgeshire Local Plan provides for Littleport (Insert Map 8.25) Key: an estimated 1,346 new dwellings (2013-31) and 1,500 jobs over Development Envelope the same period. Housing allocation LIT 3 Employment allocation The Littleport Vision 2030 supports additional housing and Housing led/mixed use LIT X Local Plan Policy employment allocations and identifies housing and employment Town centre boundary growth beyond these levels at the Station Gateway and also Conservation Area Mobile Home Park potentially in the town centre. County Wildlife Site Mineral & Waste Existing Site Waste Consulation Area It is key to ensure, however, that the level of housing and jobs CWS 34 .000000 .000000 Water Treatment Works Safeguarding Area LIT 1 are balanced otherwise commuting will continue to rise and the town will become a dormitory. 287000 287000 East Cambridgeshire District Council o 1 https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/local-development-framework/east-cambridgeshire-local-plan-2015 6 LIT 2 .000000 .000000 286000 286000 ± © Crown copyright. East Cambridgeshire All rights reserved 100023279 (2015) District Council Not to scale 555000.000000 556000.000000 557000.000000 Littleport Business Growth Zone Littleport, with its excellent transport a significantly lower cost location. The A10 connections has a history of nurturing and growth corridor therefore could become developing a variety of business types. extended with Littleport’s housing and commercial developments. Littleport is home to a