COVENTRY’S economic growth is under threat due to a lack of employment land, according to a new report.
The eight-page report was launched by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and found companies across the region are struggling to find suitable, affordable space.
The report adds this is stopping new jobs from being created as well as impacting the local economy and stopping firms from expanding.
The chamber believes this to be a ‘critical issue’ and will be writing to Coventry city council and its three MPs.
The report has been produced alongside several local property experts.
It adds there is evidence some inward investors are choosing to move into other regions due to lack of options in Coventry and Warwickshire.
In addition, the report finds there was a ‘distinct lack of future provision for employment space’ which could cause a long-term impact on Coventry’s economy.
The chamber hopes the report will start a conversation across the region to address the issue and lead to the more ‘sustainable development of employment space.’
Corin Crane, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is vital we resolve the critical matter of employment land supply through a coordinated, cross-boundary, cross-authority approach.
“This is now reaching a crucial phase because it is stifling the opportunities for businesses to expand and boost our local economy as well as attract inward investors.
“After consulting our members and partners on the Local Plans of our Local Authorities, District and Borough Councils, we have created this new report which includes proposals on a unified approach to tackling these urgent issues and suggesting ways of resolving some of the time-sensitive employment land problems the area is currently facing.
“On the back of the report, we want to ensure that we bring everyone together to make sure that employment land is front and centre of future development plans for the whole region.”
Visit https://www.cw-chamber.co.uk/about-us/policy-campaigns/employment-land-report/ for more information on the campaign.
