5.17 National Planning Policy Guideline 2: Business and Industry (NPPG 2), advises that the planning system should give priority to job creation and economic development. Development Plans should ensure that the industrial and business land supply is not only adequate in overall terms, but also provides an improved choice and range in terms of quality, size and location. In identifying new sites, Development Plans should also seek a distribution of sites that takes account of energy efficiency in terms of access to public transport and which minimise the length and number of trips, especially by motor car.

5.18 The Joint Structure Plan sets out the strategic development plan context for industrial and business development in Glasgow. It seeks to improve the economic competitiveness of the structure plan area through:

safeguarding and enhancing Strategic Employment Locations for industrial and business use; and

 

maintaining a minimum 10 year supply of potentially marketable and serviceable land for industry and business, of which 5 years supply should be readily available and marketable.

5.19 In addition to this land supply, the Joint Structure Plan identifies Shared Targets for Economic Growth. These have been developed in partnership with the Scottish Enterprise Network and relate to the whole joint structure plan area. In order to achieve economic performance closer to the national average, the targets require the provision of an estimated 200ha of industrial and business land, in addition to the established marketable land supply.

5.20 A further 200ha of land will be provided in brownfield locations in existing employment areas. This recognises the importance of improving access to employment opportunities, particularly for residents in Priority Areas. The Joint Structure Plan highlights that the main source of new industrial and business development within the Plan period is expected to be from the expansion of existing companies. The additional land allocations are aimed at reducing the tendency for existing companies to move to more peripheral locations.

5.21 The Glasgow Alliance Strategy also identifies a number of Action Plans addressing particular aspects of the City’s economy. Action Plans 1 and 2, respectively, target generating sustainable economic growth and creating jobs in Glasgow. A fuller expression of the objectives for the City’s economy is set out in Glasgow’s Renewed Prosperity - a Joint Economic Strategy for Glasgow.