Barnham, Eastergate, Westergate Strategic Allocation: Initial Socio Economic Analysis

Hardisty Jones delivered an initial socio-economic analysis for a proposed strategic allocation within the Arun District at a site between three villages, Barnham, Eastergate, and Westergate. At the time, the BEW Landowner Consortium had land interests at the site and was supporting the allocation through the Local Plan process. The Local Plan was subject to statutory consultation in the latter quarter of 2014.

The nature of the proposed allocation included the provision of 2,000 homes and reference to socio-economic infrastructure including education, health, retail, leisure and community provision as well as the A29 realignment and bridging of the West Coastway rail line. Hardisty Jones was commissioned to review and validate the technical evidence in respect of socio-economic infrastructure and impact which informed the examination of the (at the time) emerging Local Plan.

Our analysis reviewed the substantial existing evidence base documentation underpinning the Local Plan, targeted consultation with relevant stakeholders, and technical modelling to estimate the population and employment impacts from the socio-economic infrastructure of the proposed allocation. We modelled these impacts under three different dwelling scenarios.

Hardisty Jones was able to demonstrate that the BEW Strategic Allocation would deliver infrastructure that was critical to the wider economic growth of the area and would directly support new employment creation in the immediate area from the construction phase, and the ongoing delivery of education, health, retail and other services.

Our work helped the client to confirm the parameters of the allocation were appropriate, provided positive messages in respect of the proposed development; and ensured the client had appropriate evidence to hand to support the Council in rebutting objections to the allocation. Hardisty Jones appeared as Expert Witness in support of the allocation at the Local Plan Examination in Public. The promotion of the strategic allocation through the Local Plan was successful and is being implemented.

If you would like to talk to us about how we can support your efforts to setting out evidence and the socio-economic impacts for a development promoted through the local plan process, please get in touch using the project lead contact details provided below.