Section Eight: Economic development and tourism
Principles for economic development and tourism
8.1 The Council aims to support a buoyant and diverse local economy. Whilst unemployment is relatively low and there is no need for significant numbers of additional jobs to be created, it is important to make sure that adequate opportunities exist to improve the quality and range of employment available. The rural economy continues to change and there is a need to support the diversification of the local economy. Sustainable tourism based on the high quality environment, historic features and cultural heritage of the area is particularly important. Policy EDT1 sets out the principles for economic development and tourism.
Core Strategy Policy EDT1
The principles for economic development and tourism are to:
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Support a buoyant and diverse local economy, which recognises the importance of tourism to the District
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Ensure sufficient land is available to meet the employment requirements of the District
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Protect existing and allocated employment land for its intended purpose
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Protect and enhance existing tourist facilities and infrastructure, whilst also allowing new tourist development where appropriate in order to increase the range, quality and type of facilities available to tourists.
Policy EDT1 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Development of detailed policies in the Development Control DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring employment land availability.
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Monitoring unemployment rates.
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Monitoring employment by sector.
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Monitoring average incomes.
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Monitor tourist / visitor numbers.
Employment land provision
8.2 In determining how much employment land to plan for, the Council has taken account of the Northumberland Structure Plan which provides for a minimum of 2 hectares per annum on average in Tynedale up to 2016 and the submission Regional Spatial Strategy which gives a maximum of just over 3 hectares per annum up to 2021. The actual development rate of employment land in Tynedale since 1991 has been approximately 1.1 hectares per annum. Whilst it is important to plan for sufficient employment land to meet needs, there is a danger that if too much land is allocated it is difficult to protect it from other forms of development.
8.3 The 34 hectares referred to in Policy EDT2 equates to approximately 2.25 hectares per annum, sufficient to provide for past development rates plus an appropriate range and choice of land and is effectively the amount advocated in the Northumberland Structure Plan. It will provide some flexibility and allow for projects of strategic importance to be accommodated.
Core Strategy Policy EDT2
In order to meet the employment land needs of the District up to 2021 provision will be made for approximately 34 hectares of land for employment development (B1, B2 and B8 Use Classes). This provision will be made up of sites with planning permission and site allocations where appropriate. The distribution of employment land will be in line with Policy GD1.
Policy EDT2 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Allocation of sites for development in the Site Allocation DPD.
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring employment land availability and distribution.
Employment development in the open countryside
8.4 The Council recognises the importance of economic development to the rural economy. Existing Local Plan policies allow for new building for employment purposes in the open countryside where this is part of the redevelopment of an existing site or farm diversification.
8.5 The Council continues to believe that significant weight should be given to the benefits of employment being sustained in the countryside and farm businesses being able to diversify. Policy EDT3 sets out this approach which differs from that for development generally. “Small-scale” development in general terms means buildings akin to domestic or small agricultural buildings, no larger than about 500 sq m total floorspace.
Core Strategy Policy EDT3
Small-scale employment development involving new buildings will be permitted in the open countryside where it forms part of a farm diversification scheme or the redevelopment or extension of an existing employment site.
Policy EDT3 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring planning applications approved for employment development in the open countryside.
Tourism development in the open countryside
8.6 The countryside is a key element of tourism in Tynedale. It is accepted that tourist accommodation and facilities often need to be outside of towns and villages and it is intended to continue to allow for small scale new tourism development in the open countryside. In terms of tourist accommodation this means camping, caravan and chalet development. As an exception to the general policy on the location of development Policy EDT4 therefore sets out the approach to tourism development in the open countryside. In “Other small-scale new build tourism development”, “small-scale” is defined as in paragraph 8.5.
Core Strategy Policy EDT4
New build tourist accommodation other than small-scale camping, caravan and chalet development will not be permitted in the open countryside.
Other small scale new build tourism development will be permitted in the open countryside.
Policy EDT4 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring planning applications approved for tourism development in the open countryside.
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Monitoring of development approved as a departure from this policy.
Kielder Tourism Priority Area
8.7 The Local Plan identified a large area around Kielder Water and Forest as a tourism priority area where tourist development is encouraged and new build tourism development can be on a larger scale than in other parts of the District subject to other relevant policy considerations. This is due to the scale and character of the landscape in the area, the unique opportunities offered by the physical environment and the strategic importance of the area to the region’s tourism and leisure industries. This approach has been continued in recognition of the potential the Kielder area has as a strategic resource for tourism and leisure and the significant investment in the area in recent years. The Kielder Tourism Priority Area is shown on the Proposals Map.
Core Strategy Policy EDT5
In the Kielder Tourism Priority Area, proposals for new-build tourism development, including those of a larger scale will be permitted.
Policy EDT5 Implementation and Monitoring Framework Implementation:
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Decisions on planning applications.
Monitoring:
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Monitoring planning applications approved for tourism development in the Kielder Tourism Priority Area.