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This document is provided in response to the guidance issued by Government;
Making a Planning Application – A Guide for Applicants: Supplementary Guidance on Economic Issues – December 2022.
The guide outlines the economic issues that are likely to be material in the planning process and the information that could be submitted to support a planning application.
The following are questions suggested by the guidance. The responses, in red, relate to PA 22/00416/B, Eden Business Park, Cooil Road;
It is anticipated that the development will support 100 to 150 construction jobs.
These jobs will range from design consultants, groundworkers, masons, joiners, plasterers’ plumbers, electricians, decorators, landscapers, material suppliers, construction managers and further jobs will be supported by those employed by statutory authorities, supply chain, materials suppliers, hauliers, hire companies, the Steam Packet, as well as legal and financial jobs for those helping with property transactions.
The range of jobs secured by the development are therefore wide ranging and will provide employment for all sectors of the market.
The long-term duration of this development could provide employment for new people wishing to join the many disciplines the construction industry employs, which in turn will help to secure these skills for the future. It also provides work for trades people working overseas to return to the island.
This development will provide buildings which will house employment, the availability of which could be what is required to encourage a business to expand or a new business to be started on the island.
The lack of availability of a suitable premises could be a barrier to increasing employment. This proposed development will provide both flexible pre-built units and also bespoke buildings to businesses specific briefs.
The location of the site and being well served by public transport make the site very accessible. With regards to childcare, there is a children’s nursery within the IOM Business Park.
Eden Park is close to existing and future residential areas where future employees can live.
Yes, additional employment buildings will offer more choice and the potential to accommodate new or growing businesses, thereby growing the economic active population.
Whilst the development will provide continuation work for Hartford’s existing team, it also provides potential, due to its size and duration, of creating additional employment which may be for workers coming to the island, which will increase the economic active population.
This relates to the Strategic Plan Spatial Plan (Chapter 5) and also Business Policies 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 and the Employment Land Review
No
No
Easier. The proposed development could facilitate access onto adjacent land (Peel Holdings proposal for Cannabis growing)
The land is zoned for the proposed use and there are no operation reasons why the proposals cannot be accommodated.
The site is in the ideal location, with regards to customers, workforce and logistics.
This proposal is for a development that can accommodate a range of businesses, and includes flexible adaptable units as well as providing opportunity for business specific bespoke units.
The new buildings will be energy efficient and employ renewable energy generation, and this may help businesses achieve their climate change commitments, which their current premises cannot achieve, or be adapted to achieve. For multinational businesses, which cannot find premises that meet their sustainability commitments, this could mean the difference between staying on the island, or leaving.
The development is within active travel distance of Douglas City Centre, so this will support the existing businesses in the area.
The development is proposed on zoned land, which was chosen, principally, because it relates to the adjacent uses. The development brief for the land is specific as to what uses can be accommodated, as not to impact on nearby centres, and the proposals are in compliance with this.
This relates to Economic Strategy Objectives 2-4 (Prosperity for business; Resilient and sustainable economy; and Protect and nurture and grow key sectors of the economy)
Modern premises will benefit most businesses, not only in energy efficiency, but also in its public image and perception. Energy efficient premisses will help businesses meet the challenges of climate change and be more sustainable, reducing their energy costs.
Whilst not directly benefitting the key sectors listed, these proposals will ensure the continued vitality of the construction industry, which plays a major role in the economic success of the island as it provides employment for many levels of the population, ranging from groundworkers to professional consultants. The ability to accommodate head quarter buildings could support governments aims of attracting new businesses and potentially result in many high value jobs for the island.
It will help establish the common use of air source heat pumps and PV panels, as well as other sustainable technologies, in commercial buildings and this in turn will grow these green businesses as the development will set the standards for sustainability and ecological enhancement for the future.
Yes, in the design, supply and fitting of renewable energy appliances, including car charging and the use of EVs. The use of sustainable technologies in employment buildings will assist in making these accepted as normal and will help grow the sector.
Yes…existing designers, plumbers, electricians and builders will benefit, as the use of sustainable technologies becomes ‘standard’ within buildings.
The development will allow the opportunity for air source heat pumps and solar panels to be integrated, to reduce the its carbon footprint.
The location of the development within the east of the island, where a large proportion of the Isle of Man population reside and where future homes are proposed, and the availability of a regular public bus service, will provide an alternative to private car use, and will encourage active travel.
This relates to Economic Strategy Objectives 2-4 (Prosperity for business; Resilient and sustainable economy; and Protect and nurture and grow key sectors of the economy)
The lead this development will set in the provision of energy efficient employment building with biodiversity net gain for the site, will facilitate this to be done elsewhere, as business owners begin to expect this as a normal standard and do their part to mitigate climate change.
Yes, the development will maintain and strengthen Hartford’s local supply chain. Providing additional employment buildings will allow complementary businesses to cluster, potentially improving their individual businesses.
There is potential for news businesses to be establish that currently don’t exist on the island, this will help reduce the need to source those products or services from off Island.
The capacity and quality of the Islands employment buildings will be raised by this development. Providing modern premisses will result in owners of older buildings needing to invest in their own buildings, to attract tenants, which can only be beneficial.
To allow the economy to grow, more employment buildings will need to be provided. Without more business premisses, the Economic Strategy will fail.
The proposed development will contribute towards achieving the economic aims of the Isle of Man Government by driving inward investment, proving job opportunities and by making the Isle of Man a more attractive place to invest and work.
During the construction phase, it is estimated that the proposed development would generate the following socio- economic benefits:
It is therefore considered that the construction phase of the development would generate major beneficial impacts on the local economy in the short term.
During the operational phase, it is estimated that the proposed development would result in:
It is therefore considered that the operational phase of the development would generate major beneficial impacts on the local economy in the medium and long term.
Please also refer to the attached ‘Socio-Economic Effects’ section of the Environment Impact Assessment submitted as part of the planning application.
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