Runnymede is an attractive and competitive place to conduct business, due in part to its locational advantages and good skills base. Runnymede is home to several leading research establishments and UK and European headquarters, and has a strong presence in the knowledge-based and ‘createch’ sectors.
The existing Runnymede 2030 Local Plan identifies several ‘Strategic Employment Areas’ (SEAs) which aim to preserve these locations for employment uses. However, our records show that offices are being lost to other uses - mainly residential - due to flexible permitted development rights, including in our SEAs and in areas around Egham and Chertsey in particular.
Retail, leisure, entertainment facilities, arts, office, culture and tourism development is currently concentrated in a network of centres across Runnymede, mainly in Addlestone, Chertsey and Egham town centres, where the existing Local Plan directs this type of growth. But leisure uses also occur outside these centres, including at Thorpe Park, Savill Gardens, Runnymede Meadows, Windsor Great Park and at various golf courses and other open spaces.
The new Local Plan will need to set out a clear economic vision and strategy which will positively contribute to sustainable economic growth, having regard to a range of strategies and plans, such as the National Industrial Strategy and the Council’s Economic Development Strategy.
Our latest evidence suggests the way we use our employment space and centres has changed post-Brexit and Covid-19, particularly with tendencies to now work from home, and a move to internet shopping. A new Local Plan will need to support diversification of uses and identify regeneration opportunities to keep our centres vibrant places to live in, work in, and enjoy.
The new Plan will also need to protect existing and deliver additional employment floorspace over the plan period, reflecting up-to-date evidence of need in our Economic Development Needs Assessment (HEDNA), and Retail Study.
National planning policies in the new NPPF will mean that several policies in the existing 2030 Local Plan will not need to be retained, such as those which set policies for the sequential and impact tests for main town centre uses; and those which deal with hot food takeaways. However, there is still scope to define the location and extent of town centres and ‘primary shopping areas’ (where retail development is to be concentrated), and areas suited for greater diversity and/or intensification of uses.
We recommend that you read a more detailed description of this matter in this topic paper before answering the following questions – which includes a summary of what we consider to be in and out of scope:
The following questions about this topic are included on the response form:
Q15. Do you agree with what the Council believes is in scope and which a new Local Plan could address to contribute towards a sustainable local economy? If not, please explain why.
Q16. Do you agree with what the Council believes is in scope and which a new Local Plan could address to ensure the vitality of Runnymede’s town centres? If not, please explain why.
Q17. Do you agree with what the Council believes is out of scope for these matters? If not, please explain why.
Q18. In addition to protecting our Strategic Employment Areas, are there any other employment sites/areas that you think the Council should consider protecting? If so, please provide details, and why you think that they need to be retained.
Q19. Given the changing nature of town centres and the future challenges that they face, do you have any suggestions that could inform a strategy/vision for Runnymede’s town centres, which could in turn inform the new Local Plan?
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