OXFORD EMPLOYMENT LAND STUDY APPENDICES March 2006

– including for start ups and incubator space, existing firms and firms which need to be in
Oxfordshire.
8. Under Policy E2, most employment land provision is to take place on previously developed
land or in mixed use redevelopment schemes to reflect an objective of providing a range of
accommodation for businesses and contributing to diversity of local employment opportunities.
When employment use on a site ceases, its future use is to be assessed in the light of these
factors as well as its suitability for other uses and whether there are realistic prospects of it
being re-used for employment purposes.
Oxfordshire Economic Strategy
9 The Oxfordshire Economic Strategy 2001-2005, prepared by the Oxfordshire Economic
Partnership on behalf of the County, is currently under review. However, the existing strategy
has three principal aims:
• to improve the competitiveness of the Oxfordshire economy to achieve a gross domestic
product (GDP) per capita that ranks among the top ten sub-regions in Europe;
• to achieve growth in productivity, whilst sustaining the county’s environmental assets; and
• to fulfill the employment potential of all the citizens in Oxfordshire by increasing
participation in the labour market and matching skills to job opportunities.
Oxford Economic Development Strategy, 2005-2020
10. The overall vision of the strategy is to enable the City to realise its economic potential to
promote a stronger economic role within the local, regional, national and international context.
This is to be achieved by sustaining local business diversity and by an approach of managed
economic growth, supported by improvements in integrated transport to assist social inclusion,
conserve local heritage and secure environmental enhancement. Key objectives within this
strategy include:
• promoting Oxford’s regional and national role;
• stimulating and supporting business investment across key sectors of Oxford’s economy
to maintain competitiveness and a range of employment opportunities;
• helping businesses better meet their workforce needs and to improve employment
prospects for all;
• seeking a supply of sites to accommodate new investment, and to support small business
development.
The last objective is noted as relating to providing a suitable range of employment sites and
business premises available to accommodate new businesses and the expansion of others.
The availability of sites and premises for new development, and the retention of existing
employment sites for employment use, is seen as important. It notes a number of
opportunities to provide further business space including extending Oxford Science Park, the
expansion of BMW, and redevelopment as part of the City Centre Urban Renaissance
commitment. The also strategy recognises that some businesses may not be high technology
but provide necessary services to the local economy and local employment opportunities,
helping sustain economic diversity and should be supported.
LON2005/R10271-002