June 9th, 2020.
LDC Release:
Lewes District Council has today agreed to implement a new planning guidance that will boost training and job opportunities for Newhaven residents.
The TGN (Newhaven Local Employment and Training Technical Guidance Note) will require developers on larger commercial and residential projects to have a local labour agreement in place with the district council that will provide training and job opportunities. For commercial schemes, the TGN will also apply to the businesses that subsequently occupy the premises that have been developed.
Councillor James MacCleary, ward councillor for Newhaven South and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Prosperity, said: “The level of development planned in Newhaven in the coming years will create a significant number of jobs and the TGN will play a key role in helping to secure local employment at both construction and operational stages of these schemes.
“It builds on Newhaven’s Enterprise Zone status and the council’s continued focus on the town for regeneration.
“We want to make sure that future development in the town benefits residents in the long term. This guidance shows the council’s commitment to investing in our community and the difference our Co-operative Alliance is making.”
The TGN is a pilot exercise and Newhaven was identified to host it based on the local employment potential on offer and, following the Covid-19 pandemic, it will be a mechanism to ensure employment and training measures remain a priority.
Councillor Emily O’Brien, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “There is so much untapped potential in Newhaven and I’m very excited that this change in our planning policy guidance will help unlock it.
“It will maximise employment opportunities, work placements, education, training and career initiatives as a consequence of new developments and our officers will be monitoring the whole process to ensure the maximum benefit for local people.
“This is a defining moment in our plans to stop people becoming unemployed and I wholeheartedly support it.”