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Publication Draft
Providing well-designed new developments that are in the right location and address climate change
Representation ID: 64678
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
SME's rarely have the ready funds, or time, to instruct a design and build of new premises and need space quickly, at a cost that is affordable. The FSB therefore believes that new developments should consider an allocation of space for smaller units alongside the larger ones. However, the FSB appreciates that this does increase developer costs. Could the Warwick District Council encourage developers to consider speculative smaller units, similar to housing developers needing to include a set percentage of affordable housing?
SME's rarely have the ready funds, or time, to instruct a design and build of new premises and need space quickly, at a cost that is affordable. The FSB therefore believes that new developments should consider an allocation of space for smaller units alongside the larger ones. However, the FSB appreciates that this does increase developer costs. Could the Warwick District Council encourage developers to consider speculative smaller units, similar to housing developers needing to include a set percentage of affordable housing?
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Publication Draft
Enabling the District's infrastructure to improve and support growth
Representation ID: 64679
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
Infrastructure, utilities and broadband are all issues that need addressing to attract investment on allocated employment land. Speculative builds need confidence they will be able to access the site and have sufficient broadband and utilities. This is a particular concern for rural businesses. Our members tell us that they now consider the broadband speeds when looking to occupy a new premise. Broadband and utility providers are less interested in supporting developments on a smaller scale. Rural businesses particularly suffer from lack of suitable broadband, as well as accessibility. This needs to be considered when developing employment opportunities in rural areas.
Infrastructure, utilities and broadband are all issues that need addressing to attract investment on allocated employment land. Speculative builds need confidence they will be able to access the site and have sufficient broadband and utilities. This is a particular concern for rural businesses. Our members tell us that they now consider the broadband speeds when looking to occupy a new premise. Broadband and utility providers are less interested in supporting developments on a smaller scale. Rural businesses particularly suffer from lack of suitable broadband, as well as accessibility. This needs to be considered when developing employment opportunities in rural areas.
Support
Publication Draft
Providing sustainable levels of growth in the District
Representation ID: 64680
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
Our members tell us that their order books are getting fuller, that they have seen improvements across many sectors and more demand generally. Anecdotally, they tell us that they are looking to grow but often struggle to find good quality affordable units; units that are flexible and enable a business to grow over time. Currently businesses that need to react to fulfill a new contract do not have suitable space to move or grow into.
Our members tell us that their order books are getting fuller, that they have seen improvements across many sectors and more demand generally. Anecdotally, they tell us that they are looking to grow but often struggle to find good quality affordable units; units that are flexible and enable a business to grow over time. Currently businesses that need to react to fulfill a new contract do not have suitable space to move or grow into.
Support
Publication Draft
DS2 Providing the Homes the District Needs
Representation ID: 64681
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
The number of jobs created, rather than the size of land allocated is important to FSB. Any employment land allocation should be matched to the location of new housing sites. We need to think about the occupiers and their travel to work patterns. The Warwick District local plan therefore needs to look wider than the sub region; particularly to neighboring authorities such to evaluate the impact of their employment land allocations on the residents and businesses in the district.
The number of jobs created, rather than the size of land allocated is important to FSB. Any employment land allocation should be matched to the location of new housing sites. We need to think about the occupiers and their travel to work patterns. The Warwick District local plan therefore needs to look wider than the sub region; particularly to neighboring authorities such to evaluate the impact of their employment land allocations on the residents and businesses in the district.
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Publication Draft
DS3 Supporting Sustainable Communities
Representation ID: 64682
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
Planning is a big barrier for small business. The cost of submitting a proposal, even before they get to the build phase, is expensive, (planning fees, architects costs etc). If a business is refused planning it impacts on them financially, along with their confidence to do business in the area. The FSB would encourage Council to be more flexible with their planning processes, particularly around change of use, and have an open door planning process generally. Simplifying planning applications for minor building works will also help small businesses grow or diversify.
Planning is a big barrier for small business. The cost of submitting a proposal, even before they get to the build phase, is expensive, (planning fees, architects costs etc). If a business is refused planning it impacts on them financially, along with their confidence to do business in the area. The FSB would encourage Council to be more flexible with their planning processes, particularly around change of use, and have an open door planning process generally. Simplifying planning applications for minor building works will also help small businesses grow or diversify.
Support
Publication Draft
EC2 Farm Diversification
Representation ID: 64683
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
To encourage development in rural areas Warwick District Council could provide tailored guidance on appropriate types of farm diversification so farmers get the best chance of submitting a successful planning application. They should also consider permitting the development of small and larger agricultural buildings subject to 'prior notification procedure' rather than the full planning control, and make greater use of the discretionary element of rural rate relief for rural businesses.
To encourage development in rural areas Warwick District Council could provide tailored guidance on appropriate types of farm diversification so farmers get the best chance of submitting a successful planning application. They should also consider permitting the development of small and larger agricultural buildings subject to 'prior notification procedure' rather than the full planning control, and make greater use of the discretionary element of rural rate relief for rural businesses.
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Publication Draft
Vision for the District
Representation ID: 64684
Received: 09/06/2014
Respondent: Federation of Small Businesses
Warwick District Council should consider supply chain opportunities for local businesses through good use of procurement and should consider clauses that require their tier 1 suppliers to use local businesses in the supply chain during construction or within in a project. An example of this is the Birmingham City Council Social Value Charter and Find it in Birmingham website. Warwick District Council should consider how it maximises its own procurement portals CSW JETS and WCC's B2B portal to maximise local supply chain opportunities.
Warwick District Council should consider supply chain opportunities for local businesses through good use of procurement and should consider clauses that require their tier 1 suppliers to use local businesses in the supply chain during construction or within in a project. An example of this is the Birmingham City Council Social Value Charter and Find it in Birmingham website. Warwick District Council should consider how it maximises its own procurement portals CSW JETS and WCC's B2B portal to maximise local supply chain opportunities.
