It's off to work we go

Last time I talked about the need for more housing, especially affordable, to meet demand and provide homes for the staff who drive our local economy. I ended by saying that the issues surrounding work space were a whole different story and I’d come back to that another day. Well today’s the day.

Probably the most fundamental challenge when it comes to finding a way to generate long term sustainable economic growth in Bath and North East Somerset is the lack of available and suitable land for development. The challenge is to decide how best to use that limited space. Should it be for housing, hotels or employment space ? And what sort of work space should it be ?

Companies and their staff like office space within walking distance of Bath City centre. Public transport links are reasonable and there are lots of facilities nearby. Hopefully the Quays development will supply the sort of modern and flexible space that will help our businesses develop and thrive, without the need to go elsewhere.

That’s all well and good, but what about non-office based businesses such as those involved in things like manufacturing and distribution ? Those sectors can sometimes be overlooked, but I always remember the wise words of Peter France, who used to run Rotork, regularly reminding people of the need for what he called a “balanced economy” – in other words ensuring there were jobs available for all interests and aptitudes.

The intense competition for space near the city centre leads to the conclusion that work space for non-office based jobs will probably need to be found elsewhere, which is why the prospect of an Enterprise Zone in the Somer Valley is so exciting. Plans are being drawn up to improve infrastructure and provide ample space for a range of businesses. They will provide jobs for people living close by who will no longer have to commute long distances to work and so make a contribution to reducing traffic congestion.

That’s a win-win-win by anyone’s standards. Space to create jobs for local people, reduced commuting and help to maintain the balanced economy which will be good for the whole community.