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RLDP Issues Revisit in Light of Covid 19

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RLDP Issues Revisit in Light of Covid 19 APPENDIX 1: Replacement LDP Issues Table 1: RLDP Issues Revisit in Light of Covid 19 A Prosperous Wales (Well-being Goal 1) Employment & Economy Issue Revisit in Light of Covid 19 May 2020 – Comments: Issue 1 - There has been a slow uptake of employment land in the past. There 1. The economic impacts of COVID-19 are not yet known for the is subsequently a need to consider whether existing available land is suitably short, medium of long term, however the planning system has an located and fit for purpose for appropriate growth sectors. There is also a important role to play in supporting economic recovery should need to consider potential future demand for employment land along with there be an economic downturn. The provision of a range of Council aspirations for innovation across Monmouthshire in light of the suitable employment sites throughout the county will continue recent removal of the Severn Bridge tolls and the ambitions and to be necessary to 2033 to enable economic growth and opportunities associated with the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCRCD). prosperity. An increase in agile/home working could alter office Issue 2 - While unemployment is low there is a net-outflow of commuters, space requirements and potentially result in demand for new both levels of out commuting and distances travelled to work are relatively types of office space e.g. more serviced local agile working space high. There is a need to provide support for inward investment and local /shared space. Demand for B8 buildings and land may increase employment growth/opportunities. with an increase in online shopping and associated delivery hubs. Issue 3 - Wage levels available for local jobs are lower than the average for Emerging research by Lichfields suggests growth sectors are likely Wales and the UK. Evidence continues to suggest that the income for to be: logistics in the M4 corridor; medi-tech and life sciences; IT economically active women who both live and work within the County is due to increased home working and on-line retail; energy and the significantly lower than that of men within the same category. This coupled environment linked to a green recovery; and tourism and with high property prices makes it difficult for young people and future hospitality. There are synergies between these growth sectors generations to live and work locally. Additional employment opportunities and the Cardiff Capital Region’s growth sectors and they present for young people are required to help reduce the numbers of this age group opportunities for Monmouthshire. The acceptance of and leaving the County. adaptation to home/agile working might make quality of life an Issue 4 - Monmouthshire has a dual economy. The qualifications, skills and increasingly important factor in business location decisions for earnings of the residents are above the regional and national average, new investment and expansion of existing businesses, which will however, for those working in the area earnings are lower and employment be to Monmouthshire’s benefit. is relatively less skilled. 2. Despite significant business grant support, unemployment is likely to increase in the short-term. The longer term picture is Issue 5 - The increasing ageing population and shrinking working age unknown at this time. There could be a reduction in out- population (the relative absence of 20-40 year olds and our median age of 48 commuting and in-commuting due to an increase in home years, compared to a median age of 34 years in Cardiff) is limiting working (at least in the short-term: will communities retain these employment growth within Monmouthshire and social sustainability of new habits/work patterns?). It is essential that the RLDP provides communities. This is exacerbated by limited Job opportunities and affordable a positive planning policy framework to support and enable housing availability. sustainable economic growth over the Plan period. Issue 6 - There is a need to sustain and regenerate the County’s rural 3. Provision of employment opportunities for young people economy. There is current uncertainty regarding the impact of Brexit on remains a key issue. There may be increased employment in agricultural subsidies. agriculture although these are not well paid jobs. There may be Issue 7 - Higher levels of those in employment work at home compared to a review of salary levels for jobs previously deemed by some as the Welsh average. Efficient digital infrastructure is essential to support ‘low skilled’ such as care workers, but now recognised for the home working and the general connectivity of the County’s rural areas and skilled and high value jobs that they are. COVID-19 has promoted to support economic growth1. a local response in which communities have supported local Issue 8 - The role of high streets is changing due to out of town retail centres, businesses/economy which will be very positive if it endures. the increase in internet shopping, changing shopping habits (e.g. top-up 4. Issues/challenges in relation to the dual economy remain grocery shopping) and austerity and as a result vacancy rates in some of the relevant. County’s retail centres have increased. There is a leakage of expenditure out 5. This issue is of increased relevance. Without a readjustment of of the County and a need to protect the County’s retail centres from out of the demography, a smaller cohort of younger people will be town developments. supporting a significantly larger cohort of older people and Issue 9 - Tourism plays a significant part in the Monmouthshire economy communities will be unsustainable COVID-19 has demonstrated particularly in assisting in the diversification of the rural economy and in the importance of community volunteering and support. sustaining the County’s historic town centres. Visitor numbers to both 6. Rural economy – potential for increased demand for local food serviced and non-serviced accommodation are significantly higher in production and land needed to support /enable this, however Monmouthshire compared to the South East Wales average and have the additional built-urban land-take of the RLDP Preferred increased by 14.5% since 2012 (Monmouthshire STEAM Report 2017). Strategy is approximately 0.4% of the County’s land area, Staying visitors generate a higher economic impact than day visitors (£146 meaning just 3.4% of the County would be ‘built urban’ (as 1 The current situational analysis of Superfast Broadband Next Generation Access (NGA) coverage in the Cardiff Capital Region, based on the OMR/SAPC undertaken prior to the Superfast Cymru Phase 2 (SFC2) Procurement, paints a stark picture in terms of the current lack of coverage in Monmouthshire in comparison to our other nine Local Authority partners - currently 12.56% of premises in Monmouthshire are NOT covered in comparison to 3-4% in the other nine Local Authorities within the region. million compared to £58 million in 2017: Monmouthshire STEAM Report defined by the Corine land categorisation) at the end of the Plan 2017) highlighting the continued need for visitor accommodation. period. 7. Efficient digital infrastructure requirements are more essential in view of increased home working patterns that are likely to continue. Work is needed to identify gaps in digital infrastructure. 8. High Streets will continue to change especially in the short-term due to the increase in online shopping associated with COVID-19. Potential increase in vacant units in our centres in the short-term. Longer-term impacts are more difficult to predict. Links to business rates. Re-imagining the high street will require flexible planning policies in our central shopping areas. Role for more independent retail offer in high streets e.g. around local food produce? 9. Increased importance of local tourism economy (self-catering accommodation in particular in short term). Visitor numbers likely to increase given Monmouthshire’s tourism offer (landscape, open spaces, historic towns and heritage offer) – key asset to draw on. How can the Replacement LDP Influence these Issues? A(i) The Replacement LDP can encourage a vibrant economy within the All remain relevant. County, specifically by ensuring that sufficient employment sites are suitably located in attractive, accessible and sustainable locations and are of an appropriate size and type to meet the needs of the market/key employment/growth sectors, including, through support of start-up and growing businesses to help diversify the economy. A(ii) The Replacement LDP can aim to ensure that there is a portfolio of sites available which is appropriate to market conditions and the needs of the Monmouthshire economy along with the wider Cardiff Capital Region. Consideration can be given to using CPO powers to ensure sites come forward. A(iii)The Replacement LDP can ensure that, wherever possible, jobs and homes are located in close proximity to each other to provide greater opportunity for people to work and live locally. The Replacement LDP can also ensure a range and choice of homes are available, in new developments, particularly where there is a need for affordable housing, to assist in regaining a balanced population. A(iv) The Replacement LDP needs to take a role in strengthening the local economy, ensuring an appropriate economic base to enable people to live and work in the County. A(v) The Replacement LDP can contain policies that support the diversification of the rural economy. A(vi) The Replacement LDP can help to address digital exclusion by seeking to support the improvement of rural broadband and delivery of high speed connections. A(vii) The Replacement LDP must contain polices that protect the vitality and viability of existing town centres, providing additional retail opportunities where appropriate, including in relation to the regeneration of Caldicot and Usk, and ensure that the distribution of development supports these main centres in order to retain retail expenditure.
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