Issue and Options 2023

No

2.35 Response: The consultation document notes that ‘Tourism makes up a significant chunk of the area's economy, and it will be important to support this where possible’ and that ‘One particular issue in relation to tourism is the lack of affordable accommodation, which prevents larger tour groups staying overnight, resulting in many 'day trippers'. Day trippers are known to spend less within the town, with those staying overnight spending on average £400 in comparison to £40. This issue also extends to the provision of accommodation for conferences and other business uses.’ 2.36 It is considered that tourism is an important issue that the Local plan will need to address and plays a spatially strategic role, and should therefore be addressed in part 1 of the South Warwickshire Local Plan. 2.37 Some allocation in the current development plan have failed to deliver new employment development. The availability of such sites to contribute to the supply of employment land opportunities should be reviewed No purpose is served in the allocating of land for employment development where the land is not then brought forward into development. The SWLP must allocate new land for employment, including tourism and leisure uses (such as hotels) on the urban edge of the main settlements, the land must be suitable and attractive for new inward investment.