**Document:** Material Economic Information **Application:** 22/00416/B — Combined approval in principle and full approval for phased development for industrial and business park uses including Class 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 together with access and associated infrastructure. Full approval for the access, estate road, strategic drainage infrastructure, structural landscaping and biodiversity enhancement areas and with Phase 1 of the employment units (Zone A). All matters apart from access reserved for the development within Zones B, C and D **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2023-07-27 **Parish:** Braddan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/9525-braddan-land-to-the/documents/1580335 --- # Material Economic Information ## PA22/00416/B – Eden Business Park, Cooil Road, Braddan Material Economic Information ### Introduction This document is provided in response to the guidance issued by Government; Making a Planning Application – A Guide for Applicants: Supplementary Guidance on Economic Issues – December 2022. The guide outlines the economic issues that are likely to be material in the planning process and the information that could be submitted to support a planning application. The following are questions suggested by the guidance. The responses, in red, relate to PA 22/00416/B, Eden Business Park, Cooil Road; #### - Will the development create or safeguard jobs? If so, how many and at what level? How secureare these jobs? It is anticipated that the development will support 100 to 150 construction jobs. These jobs will range from design consultants, groundworkers, masons, joiners, plasterers’ plumbers, electricians, decorators, landscapers, material suppliers, construction managers and further jobs will be supported by those employed by statutory authorities, supply chain, materials suppliers, hauliers, hire companies, the Steam Packet, as well as legal and financial jobs for those helping with property transactions. The range of jobs secured by the development are therefore wide ranging and will provide employment for all sectors of the market. #### - Will the development help address any existing skills/labour gaps? The long-term duration of this development could provide employment for new people wishing to join the many disciplines the construction industry employs, which in turn will help to secure these skills for the future. It also provides work for trades people working overseas to return to the island. This development will provide buildings which will house employment, the availability of which could be what is required to encourage a business to expand or a new business to be started on the island. #### - Will the development help to remove any barriers to employment? (skills, transport, childcareetc.) The lack of availability of a suitable premises could be a barrier to increasing employment. This proposed development will provide both flexible pre-built units and also bespoke buildings to businesses specific briefs. The location of the site and being well served by public transport make the site very accessible. With regards to childcare, there is a children’s nursery within the IOM Business Park. Eden Park is close to existing and future residential areas where future employees can live. #### - Will the development help to grow the economically active population? (including provision ofaccommodation and – as highlighted in the Economic Strategy - leisure infrastructure oraddressing potential hygiene factors, such as education and healthcare) Yes, additional employment buildings will offer more choice and the potential to accommodate new or growing businesses, thereby growing the economic active population. Whilst the development will provide continuation work for Hartford’s existing team, it also provides potential, due to its size and duration, of creating additional employment which may be for workers coming to the island, which will increase the economic active population. ## Supply of Land for Economic Development This relates to the Strategic Plan Spatial Plan (Chapter 5) and also Business Policies 2, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 and the Employment Land Review #### - Will the development result in the loss of land allocated for business/industrial use for anotherpurpose? (e.g. retail or leisure), and if so what is the supply/demand situation in that area? No #### - Will the development result in the use of land for a generic use when that land might be requiredfor a specialist use (e.g. Airport Technology Gateway) No #### - Will the development make it easier or harder for nearby land to be developed and/or be likely tocreate conflicts with existing uses? (e.g. is it a bad neighbour use on a site being marketed forother purposes, or a use that is more sensitive in a more traditional industrial area) Easier. The proposed development could facilitate access onto adjacent land (Peel Holdings proposal for Cannabis growing) #### - Are there operational (including customers/workforce/logistics) reasons that limit the sitechoices for the development? The land is zoned for the proposed use and there are no operation reasons why the proposals cannot be accommodated. The site is in the ideal location, with regards to customers, workforce and logistics. #### - How footloose is the business and, if highly, how flexible/easy to repurpose is the development? This proposal is for a development that can accommodate a range of businesses, and includes flexible adaptable units as well as providing opportunity for business specific bespoke units. The new buildings will be energy efficient and employ renewable energy generation, and this may help businesses achieve their climate change commitments, which their current premises cannot achieve, or be adapted to achieve. For multinational businesses, which cannot find premises that meet their sustainability commitments, this could mean the difference between staying on the island, or leaving. #### - Will the business provide/safeguard a local service in a smaller community (e.g. public house in avillage) The development is within active travel distance of Douglas City Centre, so this will support the existing businesses in the area. #### - If the proposal is in a town centre, will it contribute to the vibrancy and vitality of that centre? Ifthe proposal is not in a town centre, could it be and if so, will it undermine the vitality and vibrancyof nearby centres? The development is proposed on zoned land, which was chosen, principally, because it relates to the adjacent uses. The development brief for the land is specific as to what uses can be accommodated, as not to impact on nearby centres, and the proposals are in compliance with this. ## Structure of the Economy This relates to Economic Strategy Objectives 2-4 (Prosperity for business; Resilient and sustainable economy; and Protect and nurture and grow key sectors of the economy) #### - Will the proposal adapt & modernise a business in an enabling sectors (Retail, Hospitality,Leisure, Property & Energy)? Modern premises will benefit most businesses, not only in energy efficiency, but also in its public image and perception. Energy efficient premisses will help businesses meet the challenges of climate change and be more sustainable, reducing their energy costs. #### - Will the proposal protect/grow a business in an existing key sector (Financial Services, Digital,Production and Visitor Economies – the latter including year-round tourism)? Whilst not directly benefitting the key sectors listed, these proposals will ensure the continued vitality of the construction industry, which plays a major role in the economic success of the island as it provides employment for many levels of the population, ranging from groundworkers to professional consultants. The ability to accommodate head quarter buildings could support governments aims of attracting new businesses and potentially result in many high value jobs for the island. #### - Will the proposal create/grow a business in a new sector (knowledge, data and greeneconomies)? It will help establish the common use of air source heat pumps and PV panels, as well as other sustainable technologies, in commercial buildings and this in turn will grow these green businesses as the development will set the standards for sustainability and ecological enhancement for the future. #### - Will the proposal contribute to Monetising the green economy? Yes, in the design, supply and fitting of renewable energy appliances, including car charging and the use of EVs. The use of sustainable technologies in employment buildings will assist in making these accepted as normal and will help grow the sector. #### - Will the proposal help an existing business to diversify? Yes…existing designers, plumbers, electricians and builders will benefit, as the use of sustainable technologies becomes ‘standard’ within buildings. #### - Will the development be low carbon? The development will allow the opportunity for air source heat pumps and solar panels to be integrated, to reduce the its carbon footprint. The location of the development within the east of the island, where a large proportion of the Isle of Man population reside and where future homes are proposed, and the availability of a regular public bus service, will provide an alternative to private car use, and will encourage active travel. ## Interaction with other Business This relates to Economic Strategy Objectives 2-4 (Prosperity for business; Resilient and sustainable economy; and Protect and nurture and grow key sectors of the economy) #### - Will the development facilitate other business in reducing their carbon/environmental footprint? The lead this development will set in the provision of energy efficient employment building with biodiversity net gain for the site, will facilitate this to be done elsewhere, as business owners begin to expect this as a normal standard and do their part to mitigate climate change. #### - Will the development create or strengthen any local supply chains? (will it use or supply otherlocal business?) Yes, the development will maintain and strengthen Hartford’s local supply chain. Providing additional employment buildings will allow complementary businesses to cluster, potentially improving their individual businesses. #### - Will the development contribute to the business infrastructure on-island (services, technology,finance etc.) There is potential for news businesses to be establish that currently don’t exist on the island, this will help reduce the need to source those products or services from off Island. #### - Will the development result in a nett increase in terms of the availability/capacity/robustness ofon-island infrastructure? The capacity and quality of the Islands employment buildings will be raised by this development. Providing modern premisses will result in owners of older buildings needing to invest in their own buildings, to attract tenants, which can only be beneficial. ## Other Points #### - Are there other published government strategies about the economy that the proposal wouldcontribute to (or undermine)? – if so, how? To allow the economy to grow, more employment buildings will need to be provided. Without more business premisses, the Economic Strategy will fail. #### - Are there any other published studies/evidence about the economy that are relevant? – if so,how? The proposed development will contribute towards achieving the economic aims of the Isle of Man Government by driving inward investment, proving job opportunities and by making the Isle of Man a more attractive place to invest and work. During the construction phase, it is estimated that the proposed development would generate the following socio- economic benefits: - • Support 100 to 150 jobs; - • £60m estimated construction expenditure; - • Total economic output of over £170million. It is therefore considered that the construction phase of the development would generate major beneficial impacts on the local economy in the short term. During the operational phase, it is estimated that the proposed development would result in: - • More than 900 jobs created at the site once it is completed and fully operational including upto circa 50 jobs as part of Zone A (Phase 1) proposals; - • Upto a further 350 additional jobs created through the indirect and induced effects of the development including 15 jobs as a result of Zone A (Phase 1); - • Potential for improved training and skills and apprenticeship opportunities; and - • New investment into the local economy by making the Isle of Man a more attractive business base. It is therefore considered that the operational phase of the development would generate major beneficial impacts on the local economy in the medium and long term. Please also refer to the attached ‘Socio-Economic Effects’ section of the Environment Impact Assessment submitted as part of the planning application. --- *Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).* *Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/9525-braddan-land-to-the/documents/1580335*