GFirst LEP commission survey for employment land near M5 corridor to boost jobs and business expansion

GFirst LEP has commissioned a survey of businesses and property agents in the vicinity of the M5 corridor in Gloucestershire to assess the potential for business expansion and creation of jobs. As part of the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) that is being developed, GFirst LEP in close consultation with the business community, public sector, voluntary and community sectors have identified that the availability of employment land alongside the M5 corridor could open up significant economic opportunties for the county.

GFirst LEP has commissioned a survey of businesses and property agents in the vicinity of the M5 corridor in Gloucestershire to assess the potential for business expansion and creation of jobs. As part of the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) that is being developed, GFirst LEP in close consultation with the business community, public sector, voluntary and community sectors have identified that the availability of employment land alongside the M5 corridor could open up significant economic opportunties for the county.

David Owen, Chief Executive, GFirst LEP said: “The SEP sets out ambitious economic growth in terms of a target measured as 4.8% Gross Value Added on average, per annum for the period 2015 to 2022. To achieve, this we need to maximise the benefits from our investment of over £400m that we will make in the county. A key initiative is the creation of a Growth Zone based on the M5 corridor to address the need for employment land, especially for businesses in high growth sectors.

As we start to make significant inroads in strengthening the economy, we need to ensure there is adequate provision of employment land in the right locations to ensure that existing businesses can expand and that we can attract inward investment.

This piece of research is vital to ensure that we identify employment land in the right areas to satisfy demand with robust evidence from the existing business community. It will also help us to make informed decisions for other vital projects such as the proposal to create a northbound and southbound access and exit to Junction 10.”

The research will be carried out by Nathanial, Lichfield and Partners (NLP), one of the UK’s largest independent firms specialising in development planning to provide specialist advice on all aspects of the planning process. The research will be completed by the end of February 2014.

To read more about the Strategic Economic Plan for Gloucestershire, please click here.