Key issue 3: Facilitating growth in the economy

The focus on large scale warehouse/distribution will not achieve Key issue 3. To enable this Key Issue HDC needs to focus on a wider range of business development in the area - new areas that we currently don't have so that those people who are commuting out can find the type of employment they want in the district. It is an established fact that there are few higher skilled/paid jobs in warehousing and a concentration of low/unskilled jobs the are low paid and often insecure/seasonal.

The local economy of Lutterworth will not expand unless the issue of heavy traffic is addressed by the provision of a major A road by-pass to relieve through traffic on the A426. Making Lutterworth a more pleasant environment should be used to attract a better mix of jobs in both the services and innovative engineering sectors providing a broader scope of quality employment for the expanded local population. This in turn will reduce the level of commuting, improving the environment and will expand the local economy enabling better education, medical and social services to be provided.

An allocation of the size in Policy BE2 would lead to a vast number of employment opportunities. Uemployment in the area is very low, the majority of the workforce required for an allocation of this size would have to be recruited from outside the district. Key Issue 3 of the Local Plan highlights that there is a requirement for more opportunities for 'higher skilled residents' in the district. 74% of the opportunities are for essential/basic jobs, the people filling these roles will commute from areas where unemployment is higher and house prices are lower.

The plans for Harborough make no reference news types of employment such as engineering and technology. These are growth areas that MH are not attracting. Instead we are focusing on service and retail industries. These sectors only attract a lot of low wage roles a only a few well paid ones. Instead engineering and technology sectors will attract far more of the latter.

By 2031 automation and technology developments will mean that retail, services, and distribution centres will not need a significant workforce. Relying on these traditional sectors is setting Harborough up for failure

Vision and objectives: Support
promote healthy and safe lifestyles.

- There will be better access to the countryside and an improved range
of open spaces for local people to enjoy
- increased provision for walking and cycling, and improved access to public transport for new development will have contributed to a reduction in the District's carbon footprint.
- Communities will have access to improved social, recreational, sports, health and
educational facilities.

Key Issue - growth in the economy and Objective 2. Employment:
Sport England would advise of our economic value of sport toolkit
https://www.sportengland.org/research/benefits-of-sport/economic-value-of-sport/
and more generally
https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/reports/lmp/la/1946157347/report.aspx

Objective 4 Infrastructure: Support

Objective 9 Design: Support. With particular reference to bringing forward strategic development areas of East Lutterworth and Scraptoft (policy SC1) with regard to
Active design - Sport England, in conjunction with Public Health England, has produced 'Active Design' (October 2015), a guide to planning new developments that create the right environment to help people get more active, more often in the interests of health and wellbeing. The guidance sets out ten key principles for ensuring new developments incorporate opportunities for people to take part in sport and physical activity. The Active Design principles are aimed at contributing towards the Government's desire for the planning system to promote healthy communities through good urban design. Sport England would commend the use of the guidance in the master planning process for new residential developments. The document can be downloaded via the following link:
http://www.sportengland.org/facilities-planning/planning-for-sport/planning-tools-and-guidance/active-design/

Support Policy GD3 - b. outdoor sport and recreation and associated buildings

Support GD7 2a. permitting development if it relates to outdoor leisure, sporting or recreation facilities including school playing fields, cycleways, footpaths or bridleways;.

Support policy GD8 - Design which in explanation refers to our guidance on active design. We would ask if the use of active design would be made stronger by reference in the policy. (also covered in policy IN2) also should be referenced in SC1, MH1, MH2 and LH1

Support in principle Policy HC2 - Evidence who demonstrates that a facility is no longer required. We are unsure what evidence is available to understand the demand, supply and needs for built sports facilities. This is even more relevant with regard to policy IN1.

G12 this policy is supported in principle particularly around the use of the emerging Playing Pitch Strategy 2017 which details not only the provision requirements but also quality improvements which could meet the demands generated by development. (please see attached) We are concerned with regard to the reference to and accessibility standard 4km or 10mins drive/bus this is not appropriate in all circumstances and not for all sports. The catchment for football is different to that for cricket and other sports. The emerging playing pitch strategy will provide more information on this aspect. The playing pitch strategy should also be the evidence needed for the robust assessment referred under G12.2.a. with regard to playing fields.

It is not clear if the plan fully details with the needs for new or replacement built sports facilities particularly sports halls and swimming pools (leisure centres) having regard to Para 70 of NPPF and the requirement to plan positively
.