Reference to ‘ancillary’ with regard to the HDAs in relevant policies and supporting text should be modified to 'functionally linked' and include explanatory text clarifying that 'functionally linked' uses can include a range of activities including: food-related distribution; food manufacturing linked to the HDAs food preparation; on-site renewable energy to serve on-site activities; and R&D.

The Runcton HDA is home to a number of the most high performing horticultural operations in the south of England. These businesses are well-established and are capable of supporting sustainable and continued economic growth. This in turn will benefit the wider horticultural sector in the South. The current and proposed HDA policies do however act as a barrier to economic growth.

The current HDA policy is acknowledged within the 2018 HEDNA as a barrier to growth due to the failure to support functionally associated uses. The importance of associated uses to the cluster is also acknowledged within The Council’s evidence base and other key Government and Industry publications.