job creation

A central focus of the Lidsing Garden Community development is the establishment of new employment opportunities. The development is expected to create  2,000 new jobs across a range of sectors, achieving the requirements of the allocation under Policy LPRSP4(b). This is enabled by the development of a 14 hectare area of employment land strategically located next to Junction 4 of the M2 motorway, which will be provided with direct access to the motorway as a result of the new link road spur to be delivered as part of the development. The massing, siting and footprint of buildings within the employment area will be carefully designed with respect to the landscape setting of the employment area, next to the motorway and in close proximity to the Kent Downs National Landscape. These buildings will also need to be flexible to account for potential changes in future market demand. The employment area is currently envisioned to host a mix of uses with the following floorspace area breakdown: 47% Class E, 42% Class B8, 11% Class B2. This employment land could also accommodate an 80-bedroom hotel. The establishment of a new local centre at the heart of the development will also create employment opportunities through the development of a health and community centre, primary school and retail/leisure units.