It is always good not to have to spend time commuting to work. It would be great for people’s health and the health of the planet, if their job location meant they could walk or cycle to work.
Talking Points:
- More people are working from home since 2015.
- The University of Buckingham is an important source of employment in the town. Under the recent examination process the Independent Examiner noted the importance of the University to the town during his [anonymous] visit to Buckingham.
- Do current businesses and new businesses have room to expand or move into the town?
- The town centre provides jobs through its retail and services offer. It also provides retail and services to a wider area than just Buckingham, as an historic market town. The Independent Examiner noted “its healthy range of independent and national retailers.” How can its vibrancy be protected?
The Plan will:
- provide a policy to support digital infrastructure within the town recognising the importance of digital communication to both businesses and residents,
- support the University in future development while it also seeks to ensure mindfulness of any unnecessary negative impact on the town such as the housing market
- offer provision of 1.8ha of new employment land to allow for Buckingham businesses to expand and for new business to locate in Buckingham.
- policies to ensure a good offer of shops and services is maintained, and that this offer is immediately visible to residents and visitors.
- support the development of vacant upper floors of retail units to be used for housing helping to maintain the vibrancy of the town centre.