Please find below questions we have received relating to the Economy section of the Dorset Council Local Plan options consultation, along with answers given.
Employment land methodology
Question
How were the employment land quantities calculated?
Answer
Employment land quantities are calculated using economic projections to arrive at an expected number of new jobs. This is then translated into a need for employment land. The detail of this is included in the Workspace Strategy. However this report will be updated to respond to the impact of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic prior to the plan being submitted for examination.
Question
Employment land in hectares is an almost useless figure. It can be converted to number of jobs in B1, B8 etc. Why have you not done this?
Answer
The Workspace Strategy update gives an estimated numbers of jobs alongside the required amount of employment land to support these jobs. As the local plan is about land use and the allocation of land for employment purposes, the employment figures are set out as land allocations however the job forecasts (at around 21,000 new jobs) are also included at paragraph 2.2.9. Please view the Workspace Strategy update on the council’s evidence page Dorset Council Local Plan evidence - Dorset Council.