Client
Talbot Village Trust
Services
Hardisty Jones were commissioned by Talbot Village Trust to deliver an Economic Impact Statement and a Socio-economic Assessment on the proposed development of Talbot Village Innovation Quarter and Nuffield Health Hospital, adjacent to the campuses of Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth.
The site for the proposed Innovation Quarter and Nuffield Health Hospital is located within Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) and consists of flexible employment space, which would provide for and boost the strong sub-regional research and development (R&D) and innovation sectors, and a Nuffield hospital healthcare facility (which would replace the existing Nuffield Health Hospital, Bournemouth).
The Innovation Quarter is included as an element of BCP Council’s growth strategy, as set out in the Poole Local Plan, and evolved into a formal planning application. The development would deliver significant benefit to the region in regard to healthcare and economic growth; the vision is to create a vibrant place that brings together the community, academics, students, clinicians, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The proposed development would also support the Universities by attracting digital, environmental, health, and creative industries into BCP, helping to create skilled jobs and facilitate the retention of local graduates in the region.
Economic Impact Statement
Hardisty Jones delivered an Economic Impact Statement to demonstrate how the Innovation Quarter and Nuffield Health Hospital would impact the local communities in BCP. The statement outlines the proposed development’s strategic fit to local and sub-regional policy, the construction and operational impacts, and the wider economic impacts.
The statement sets out the strategic fit of the proposed development to economic, innovation, and healthcare themed strategic planning policies at the local and sub-regional levels. Our assessment found the proposed development aligns to the ambitions set out within the relevant policies, contributing to enhancing innovation and collaboration and supporting skilled job opportunities in the sub-region.
Our assessment of the construction and operational impacts on employment and GVA during the construction and operational phases determined the development will deliver beneficial impacts to the local area. Our economic impact modelling indicated the proposed development would deliver 1,110 net additional person years of employment, generating £73 million in GVA, during its construction phase, and support 1,370 net additional FTE jobs and £97 million in GVA during its operational phase across Dorset.
Our assessment of the wider economic impacts anticipated as a result of the Innovation Quarter found the development would significantly enhance the sub-regional innovation environment, support high value activity, and encourage graduate retention within BCP and Dorset.
Environmental Impact Assessment: Socio-economics
Hardisty Jone delivered a Socio-economics EIA to be included within the proposal’s Environmental Statement to assess the potential range of impacts the Innovation Quarter and Nuffield Health Hospital could have. The assessment considered the likely impacts on socioeconomics during construction, and the likely impacts on socioeconomics, health, and recreation during operation.
Key policies to be considered in relation to the proposed development were examined, and consultations were undertaken with various stakeholders. The baseline conditions of the local area were established and included economic indicators (GVA, employment, qualifications, unemployment) and Health Indicators (day and night bed occupancy in hospitals, waiting times) recreation indicators (visitor survey, open space).
Our assessment drew from the Economic Impact Statement and found the development is likely to provide a number of benefits in supporting employment, enabling greater innovation in healthcare, and addressing high levels of healthcare demand and healthcare capacity challenges.
If you would like to talk to us about how we can support your efforts in seeking planning permission for an employment-led development – whether this requires inputs which make the economic development case for a scheme, or technical inputs to an EIA or Environmental Statement – please get in touch using the project lead contact details provided below.
