9 responses from Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd
1. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 06:25:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
2.1 - 2.2 Strategic Vision and Objectives - and 'You told us that'
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Page 16 Paragraph 2.28 to 2.38 Strategic Objectives
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Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
The Strategic Objectives are succinct and appear to meets the tests of soundness. Affordable housing will be the driver linked to a sustainable economic growth strategy. Higher paid jobs will derive from high growth sectors, effectively those targeted by the NWDA including advanced engineering and materials, business and professional services, creative and digital industries, food and drink and energy and environmental technologies. South Lakeland already has strengths in some of these key sectors and thus the scope to attract new investment opportunities can and should be supported by a strong policy targeting graduate recruitment and retention.
The core strategy brings together the complexity of the key issues in a structured manner with employment areas in key locations in the service centres linked to a strategy that could be very effective in reducing commuter travel. The prosperity plans for the smaller towns and villages are possible if the objectives to generate a stronger knowledge economy can be realised.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
The business community relate to the key sectors and recognise growth will attract support from the region alongside a sustainable graduate recruitment and retention policy. Paragraph 2.30 refers to the key sectors however they deserve prominence in the strategic objectives since they have an important role in shaping the local economy and increasing the range of higher skills discussed in 2.16. The knowledge economy will benefit from a stronger cluster development strategy focussing into existing key strengths some of which may well be latent strengths.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Adopted by the District Council
2. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 08:27:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.1 - 3.7 Spatial Development Strategy
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Page 23 paragraph 3.7
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
South Lakeland has an important role in supporting the business communities in the west coast areas and Furness. The west coast suffers from remoteness to the region's arterial routes as does Furness to a lesser extent. Kendal is a gateway to the industrial areas, it is accessible by decision makers from the south of the region along the Manchester/Liverpool corridor and by the managers and professionals who operate our key industries in Furness and the west coast. Increasing costs of energy and time give rise to an an opportunity to create a knowledge hub in Kendal which by its nature should act as a multiplier to support high-tech employment not only in Kendal and particularly Oxenholme but in the key service centres and local services centres. The hub must however be viable to have a right of place in the heirachy. In this context South Lakeland needs to explore the scope for a knowledge hub with the existing business communities and decision makers ensuring that there is a win, win for all concerned.
What change(s) would you suggest for this part of the Report?
Kendal and Carlisle are gateways to Cumbria although as yet Kendal is not fully recognised for the opportunities it might afford the region and the Lake District. The emphasis to grow the local economy on the Furness Peninsula is entirely justified; in this context decision makers should recognise the intrinsic strengths that could benefit the entire region by growing Kendal as a strategic hub, one which faces south to Manchester, Warrington and Liverpool and west to Barrow and the west coast.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
3. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 11:58:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.17 The Preferred Option - PO1 - Locational Strategy
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Pages 36 and 37 options 1,4,5,6 & 7 and PO 1 Locational Strategy
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
The key words are 'sustainable heirachy of settlements'. Kendal and Ulverston as functional areas are central to economic growth, to the well being of communities, rural communities, jobs, skills, regeneration, transport systems, affordable housing and the protection of our environment. PO1 creates the flexibility of which our 21st century population will become trustees, as they will the technologies that we are creating today.
PO1 is able to integrate employment using not just the skills of today but of the information age to come, creating balanced distribution of key and local service centres contributing to reductions in commuting, business and social travelling, whilst increasing community well being, sense of belonging and purpose.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
4. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 10:49:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.17 The Preferred Option - PO1 - Locational Strategy
Please state as clearly as you can the exact part of the Report you are commenting on by quoting the page number (if known), paragraph number, option name or number, or the number of the map, figure or table.
Pages 36 and 37 options 1,4,5,6 & 7 and PO 1 Locational Strategy
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
The key words are 'sustainable heirachy of settlements'. Kendal and Ulverston as functional areas are central to economic growth, to the well being of communities, jobs, skills, regeneration, transport systems, affordable housing and the protection of our environment. PO1 creates the flexibility of which our 21st century population will become trustees, as they will the technologies that we are creating today. Business Clusters Ltd is a great supporter of information technology and understands its central role in economic evolution. PO1 is able to integrate employment using the information age creating balanced distribution of key and local service centres contributing to reductions in commuting, business and social travelling, but increasing community well being, sense of belonging and purpose.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Adopted by the District Council
5. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 12:26:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
The Preferred Option - PO2 - Rural Areas
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Pages 44,45 and 46 paragraphs 3.39 to 3.46 and PO2 Rural Areas
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
The rural communities are evenly spread across South Lakeland with one third in areas of South Lakeland which may be considered remote from Kendal for example Broughton-in-Furness. It is important to draw attention to the western communities because they are often home to many of the professional, managers and technical skills which Furness and Sellafield rely upon.
Whether in the west or the east areas of South Lakeland the rural communities are also home to retired people who far from being insular have a great deal to offer. Option 4 on page 45 in particular encourages community participation in affordable housing, small scale residential and economic development. Traditional occupations, high quality, higher paid job holders, retired but highly skilled people are all able to contribute to vibrant rural communities which supported by a flexible development framework should foster local employment opportunities. Knowledge based occupations are ideal employment opportunities for rural communities, but will not happen unless there is a rationale to support investment by the business community and individuals.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
6. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 22:16:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.97 - 3.102 Options Considered: Alternative Sustainable Economy Options; Options 1 - 5
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Pages 77 to 82 and paragraphs 3.97 to 3.102
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Given that Kendal is a gateway town, enjoys the support of the business community and has the propensity to be a strategic hub for the south of Cumbria a viable employment area is essential, and it is vital that the employment area is large enough to accomodate expansion over the next twenty years. Of all the five land allocations OPTION 2 and OPTION 5 are vital to Kendal developing a strategic hub. South Lakeland has options to create compatible high-tech clusters which will have viable potential on a site which is strategic in its location yet close to the town with capacity to expand over a long period. Of the five freestanding strategic sites Shenstone (option 5a) as the preferred site provides the scope for a 2.3 hectare Technology Park over 5 years with the potential to expand towards the south east by a further 7 hectares. Business Clusters support the preferred choice at Shenstone. Shenstone has capacity to create a business cluster that will have the potential to generate 450 jobs in a 2.3 hectare Technology Park over 5 years, with expansion to 7 hectares by 2020.
The choice of Shenstone is compatible with PO5, Sustainable Economy backed by:
PO2 - Supporting Rural Areas
PO8 – Accessibility and Transport
PO.21 – Education and Skills Development
PO.24 – Sustainable Energy
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Adopted by the District Council
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
7. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 7 Jun 2008 23:28:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.103 The Preferred Option - PO5 - Sustainable Economy
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Page 85 PO5 - Sustainable Economy
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Business Clusters Ltd support the development of employment areas in the Key Service Centres Grange-over Sands, Milnthorpe and Kirkby Lonsdale together with the potential to create employment areas in Oxenholme and at Canal Head in the centre of Kendal. Shenstone as a free standing strategic site accomodating BI and B2 industrial developments with the potential to develop knowledge based industry clusters has the propensity to act as a multiplier by connecting existing cluster networks in for example electronics and electrical equipment manufacture. From market research completed by Business Clusters Ltd there are compatible businesses within the two national park areas, the Principal, Key and Local Service Centres which in effect form the nucleus for high tech knowledge based industries. South Lakeland District Council and its partners should harness the potential which will then be able to help support PO3 Distribution of Development, PO4 Balanced Housing Market, PO5 Sustainable Economy, PO8 Accessibility and Transport and PO9 Sustainable Development Principles.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Adopted by the District Council
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
8. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 9 Jun 2008 08:50:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.162 Alternative Options/ The Preferred Option - PO8 - Accessibility and Transport
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Page 106 - 107
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Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Public transport systems are important assets and need to be enhanced then grown. There can be little doubt that transport and accessibility does generate severe problems. Thus items 1& 2 which support policies to locate new development in locations accessible by integrated public transport systems will be fundamental and fits well with PO1 Locational Strategy. An integrated public transport system which uses off road transport especially rail for people and freight movement has considerable potential and is an excellent fit with Item 8 PO8 to faciliate economic development.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council
9. Mr David Rowlands, Business Clusters Ltd : 9 Jun 2008 09:04:00
To which part of the Report does your representation relate?
Paragraph or Section
3.182 Alternative Options/ The Preferred Option - PO9 - Sustainable Development Principles
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Page 111 and 113 3.180 to 3.188
Do you support, oppose or have an observation about this part of the Report?
Support
Please write your comment or explain your reasons for supporting or opposing this part of the Report. You may also wish to refer to the tests of soundess in the glossary of the Preferred Options document before making your comments.
Business Clusters Ltd supports all 15 points that help to create the principles of sustainable development. Transport and transport systems, renewable energy, the natural and built environment , climate change and sustainable waste management are issues to face and opportunities to grasp and develop. PO9 appears to encapsulate the management potential that will help to drive the core strategy and deserves strong support from the business community.
Please indicate if you wish to be notified when the Core Strategy has been:
Submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination
Adopted by the District Council