The Institute of Directors has called for an "effective
dialogue" with business if progress is to be made on agreeing a
development blueprint for South Worcestershire.
It has rejected the current local government-produced plan which
would see thousands of new homes built in the area.
The South Worcestershire Development Plan has been prepared by
Malvern Hills, Worcester City and Wychavon councils and is designed
as a vision through to 2030.
Proposals cover the allocation of large "strategic" sites;
assessing the suitability of all other potential development sites
covering housing, employment, retail, education, health, community
use and open space. A key requirement is that any development is
sustainable.
But, in a submission following a general consultation exercise,
Worcestershire branch of the IoD says it "firmly believes that the
South Worcestershire Development Plan should be rejected".
The response, submitted by branch chairman Francis Christie,
states: "If the three councils want to create the conditions for
economic growth and job creation, they need to have an effective
dialogue with the business community on where there are
opportunities to create employment for people.
"This would identify the critical improvements in infrastructure
and facilities which would be required to deliver the implied large
scale growth in jobs. This would then enable an effective forecast
to be made of what sustainable housing development is required and
in what areas.
"Until these issues are addressed, there is little value in
providing 20,000 new houses for 40-60,000 people in South
Worcestershire. Where are they going to find work? What will be the
impact of these numbers on already over-stretched infrastructure
and facilities? Where are the road capacity, public transport,
schools and medical facilities to cope with this sort of influx of
numbers?
"If this plan is accepted, it will increase traffic congestion,
limit commercial transport and overload existing schools, medical
facilities and other infrastructure and services."
The submission goes on: "It needs to be replaced with a
meaningful dialogue by the councils with the business community
about where sustainable development is really possible.
Worcestershire needs a development plan that has been created by
working with existing and potential new employers, promotes
enterprise and develops sustainable opportunities for business
growth. It is only by working with local businesses, who's
directors and employees represent local communities, that the
councils can create a plan that businesses can support and that
supports the growth of business and enterprise in this area."
The IoD says it would like to enter into "a constructive
dialogue" with the councils to help define where investments in
infrastructure and facilities are needed.
It adds: "Only then can we say with any certainty what housing
developments are required and where they should be."
The South Worcestershire Development Plan is set to replace the
existing Local Plans of the three partner councils and is due for
adoption in May 2013. It will also supersede elements of
Worcestershire County Council's County Structure Plan.