Planning for Economic 
    Development – Towards  
    a New Technical Advice Note
    November 2013
          Planning for Economic Development –  
          Towards a New Technical Advice Note
          This research was prepared for the Welsh Government  
          by Peter Brett Associates LLP and Asbri Planning
          Planning Division
          Welsh Government
          Cardiff
          CF10 3NQ
          E-mail: planning.division@wales.gsi.gov.uk
          Planning web site: www.wales.gov.uk/planning
          Peter Brett                      Asbri Planning Ltd
          Peter Brett Associates LLP       1st Floor, Westview House
          Tel: (+44) (0)20 756 68600       Unit 6, Oaktree Court
          16 Brewhouse Yard                Mulberry Drive
          Email: london@peterbrett.com Cardiff Gate Business Park
          London  EC1V 4LJ                 Cardiff  CF23 8RS
          www.pba.co.uk                    Tel: 029 2073 2652
                                           Email: mail@asbriplanning.co.uk
          Digital ISBN 978 1 4734 0253 9
          © Crown copyright 2013 
          WG19850
                                               
                                               
                                                   CONTENTS 
                                                   0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................1 
                                                   1                               OBJECTIVES ........................................................................................................................3 
                                                                                   What is economic development? ...........................................................................................3 
                                                                                   High-level planning objectives ...............................................................................................9 
                                                                                   Larger-than-local planning ...................................................................................................18 
                                                   2                               PLANNING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT .................................................................23 
                                                                                   Weighing economic benefit ..................................................................................................23 
                                                   3                               THE RURAL ECONOMY .....................................................................................................31 
                                                                                   Economic activities suitable for rural areas ..........................................................................31 
                                                   4                              PROMOTING THE LOW-CARBON ECONOMY, CLUSTERS AND SOCIAL   
                                                                                  ENTERPRISES ...................................................................................................................37 
                                                   5                               DEVELOPMENT PLANS AND THE ECONOMY .................................................................39 
                                                                                   Introduction ..........................................................................................................................39 
                                                                                   Stakeholders  .......................................................................................................................39 
                                                                                   The evidence base ..............................................................................................................40 
                                                                                   An economic vision ..............................................................................................................40 
                                                                                   Employment land provision ..................................................................................................42 
                                                                                   Existing employment sites ...................................................................................................44 
                                                                                   Criteria-based policies .........................................................................................................45 
                                                   6                               DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT AND THE ECONOMY ...................................................47 
                                               
                                                   APPENDICES 
                                               
                                                   APPENDIX 1 THE RESEARCH STEERING GROUP 
                                                   APPENDIX 2 THE ECONOMY EVIDENCE BASE: GUIDANCE MANUAL