Business and Employment Sites Introduction

Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan Evidence: Business and Employment Sites Introduction

Protecting Business Sites as part of the Identified Business Sites Neighbourhood Plan Following this analysis the following four The Neighbourhood Plan seeks to protect business sites have been identified as the key local business sites in order to help key area of focus for the Neighbourhood safeguard the sustainability of the parish. Plan in developing business site policies. The focus of this evidence is, therefore, on the key clusters of business sites the • Parkgate Centre loss of which would adversely affect local • Pickhill Business Village employment opportunities and decrease (Pickhill Business Centre) the sustainability of the town. • Leigh Green Industrial Estate • Station Road Business Centre

Methodology Statement

The identification of these key business sites has been made following a desk top exercise using local business directories and websites, Chamber of Commerce and Civil Society local knowledge, review of OS maps, site visits and Ashford Local Plan evidence and policies to identify the business sites that contribute to the local economy and provide employment opportunities.

Although there are a number of business areas across the Parish, the planning framework affects them in different ways. For example it is now possible, in certain circumstances, to convert office buildings to residential use without the need for planning permission. Although there is office space within the parish which in terms of providing a range of local employment opportunities it may be desirable to protect, it is not feasible for the Neighbourhood Plan to prevent such changes to residential use.

Light industrial units may also move to residential use, with a number of exclusions. However, sites of this kind in the parish are unlikely to provide a desirable location for individual dwelling houses or lend themselves to conversion to residential use. There is, therefore, merit in the Neighbourhood Plan targeting the protection of light industrial sites that continue to contribute to the local economy and provide employment opportunities.

2 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 3 Parkgate Centre Details of the Sites

Parkgate Centre – Cranbrook Road

A group of part converted former farm buildings and yard area with planning permission for light industrial use. The premises are set well back from the Cranbrook Road although they are adjacent to a number of residential properties. Size 1.2Ha

The site has adequate parking and the buildings appear appropriately maintained given their use for light industrial purposes. There is no evidence of vacancy.

4 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Pickhill Business Centre

Pickhill Business Village (Centre) – Smallhythe Road

Part converted and new build offices/ warehouse and industrial space comprising 16 units on former farm site including vet, pet grooming and other uses. There are 15 businesses currently on the site and units are available to rent. Size 0.7Ha

The site is attractive and well maintained and the buildings appear to be in good condition and provide good parking.

Pickhill Business Village has been identified as suitable for expansion as part of the Ashford Local Plan ALP Policy S25. This policy promotes an extension to the north of the existing site through the allocation of a 0.35ha parcel of land and details are attached as Appendix 2

3 Small Hythe Rd In line with the NPPF (Paras 13 and 29), the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan supports the delivery of this site allocation.

Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 5

Details of the Sites (cont.)

Leigh Green Industrial Estate – Appledore Road

The estate comprises self-contained light industrial units (including some trade counter uses) both standalone and in a number of terraces, with communal yards and parking. There are currently 18 businesses based at Leigh Green and some units are available to rent or buy. Size 2.2Ha

Leigh Green is a well located, and well-maintained site, with a high level of occupancy. The buildings appear to be in good condition and there is sufficient car parking space.

1 Appledore Rd

6 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan

A number of converted Nissan huts and an industrial and warehouse scheme incorporating a local brewery. The Old Dairy Brewery and neighbouring blacksmith are valuable additions to the experience of visitors to the Kent and East Sussex Railway and the town. Size 0.5Ha

This site is located adjacent to Tenterden Town Railway Station and its carpark. In addition to modern industrial and agricultural storage facilities there are heritage buildings associated with the railway complex. The site accommodates a small number of businesses and has sufficient car parking space. There is no evidence of vacant units.

Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 7 Appendix 1 – Location and Layout of Business Sites

8 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 9 Appendix 1 – Location and Layout of Business Sites (cont.)

10 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 11 Appendix 1 – Location and Layout of Business Sites (cont.)

12 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 13 Appendix 2

Pickhill Business Village, Tenterden

4.14 Pickhill Business Centre is located on 4.16 The site is considered suitable for 4.19 Parking for the new business units Smallhythe Road a short distance from development for business uses within the should be provided in accordance with the town of Tenterden. It is an established use classes B1- B8. Given the character the Policy TRA3 (b). Any existing parking business site having been originally and appearance of the surrounding which is lost due to the new development converted from agricultural buildings to areas, a scheme of no more than two will also need to be replaced in order employment uses in 1997. The existing stories would be most appropriate here. to ensure the existing tenants of the premises host a number of small This will ensure the development settles business units are not unduly affected. and medium sized B1-B8 businesses, nicely into its surroundings and will not be A large area of hardstanding to the utilising 16 units. This policy promotes an visually intrusive for residential properties north east of the site is currently used as extension to the north of the existing site in the surrounding area and the wider an informal parking area. Making this through the allocation of a 0.35ha parcel AONB. parking area a more formal arrangement of land. that is well designed and supported 4.17 A landscaped buffer exists on the by appropriate landscaping, could be 4.15 The site is currently divided into two frontage of the site, directly adjoining the acceptable and should be explored characteristic areas, the eastern end Smallhythe Road. This should be retained further at the planning application stage. of the site is a small orchard and the as part of any scheme, as should the western end of the site is a grazing area, hedge on the northern boundary which 4.20 The depth to groundwater is limited enclosed by wooden post and should be retained and extended at this site and thus the use of soak rail fencing and a large landscaped to ensure the site has minimal visual aways may not be permissible due to the hedge which is directly adjacent to intrusion when viewed from the north. risks of direct discharge to groundwater. Smallhythe Road. The two sites are Policy ENV9 ‘Sustainable Drainage’ should bounded on the northern boundary by 4.18 The primary vehicular access should be referred to in establishing suitable a large hedgerow, which extends along continue to be provided through the options for surface water disposal. a large proportion of its length. This main entrance to the Pickhill Business hedgerow provides existing screening Village, with an additional emergency 4.21 It will be necessary to upgrade the to the development from views from the access only route provided through the existing local sewerage infrastructure north. To the east of the site, outside of the existing field entrance opposite Pick Hill before development can connect into it. site boundary is an area of hardstanding House. This will ensure that the residents It is also important that existing sewerage currently utilised as an informal parking of Pick Hill House are not affected by infrastructure which crosses the site is area. The site in contained wholly within vehicles entering and leaving the site. protected and future access secured the High Weald AONB. for the purposes of maintenance and upsizing. Liaison with the service provide is recommended.

14 Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan Policy S25 - Pickhill Business Village, Tenterden

The land adjoining the Pickhill Business Centre is proposed for rural employment development within the use classes B1-B8.

Development proposals for this site shall: a) Provide primary vehicle access via the existing main entrance to the Pickhill Business Centre and an emergency access via the existing field entrance opposite Pick Hill House; b) Be no taller than two-storeys in height; c) Provide parking to serve the new business units in accordance with parking policy TRA3 (b); d) Replace any existing parking for the Business Centre which has been lost to the new development; e) Consider the impact upon views to and from the site to determine appropriate structural and internal landscaping and building heights, and having particular regard to the impact on the AONB and its setting; and f) Provide a connection to the nearest point of adequate capacity in the sewerage network, in collaboration with the service provider, and ensure future access to the existing sewerage infrastructure for maintenance and upsizing purposes.

Business and Employment Sites | Tenterden Neighbourhood Development Plan 15 Contact Details: Town Clerk Town Hall 24 High St Tenterden TN30 6AN T 01580 762271 www.tenterdenneighbourhoodplan.org