Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (R-RMC) is highly supportive of the inclusion of Land East of Rolls-Royce (Policy A21) as a site for R-RMC to deliver its vision for the strategic expansion of the existing headquarters of R-RMC at Goodwood (R-RMC Goodwood). R-RMC considers the policy is sound in principle, but one minor modification is suggested to provide greater clarity.

Justification for Policy A21

As a prestigious global manufacturer of luxury motor cars and a major employer within Chichester District, R-RMC’s proposed expansion would signify a considerable investment into the local, district and wider UK economy.

Since its arrival in 2003, the Goodwood facility has expanded incrementally and now fully utilises the capacity of the existing site for its manufacturing needs. As part of its continued operations, and to improve its logistics processes, R-RMC requires an increase in manufacturing space to meet manufacturing needs and remain responsive to an evolving market. The proposed expansion would potentially generate additional employment opportunities and further contribute to the local and wider economy, thus helping to strengthen Chichester’s economic outlook at a time of national economic uncertainty. R-RMC has made previous representations through the Local Plan process seeking recognition of the importance of this expansion and is pleased that the Council acknowledges these needs through the inclusion of draft Policy A21.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has sustainable development at its heart, including economic components. Moreover, paragraph 81-85 make it clear that supporting economic growth and competitiveness is of great importance in the planning system.

As part of these representations, R-RMC has prepared a report demonstrating the suitability, availability and achievability of the proposed expansion site. The report highlights R-RMC’s commitment to delivering an expansion within the Plan period, with a suite of technical assessments already undertaken and progress being made towards submission of a planning application later this year. The report, which should be read in conjunction with these representations, demonstrates that the site is in a suitable and sustainable location for development and that there are no significant constraints that would preclude development. R-RMC is confident that, through its emerging proposals, there exists an opportunity to provide development sensitively and with an enhanced landscape setting to satisfy the requirements of the draft policy.

Notwithstanding the above, R-RMC suggest the Policy is improved and made clearer by replacing ‘safeguard’ with ‘allocate’ the land for employment development. It is acknowledged that, at earlier stages of the Local Plan process, there was more limited detail available regarding the scope, extent and timescales for delivering an expansion, and it was appropriate at the time to consider the site for safeguarding for future needs. However, as outlined above and in the submitted report, R-RMC is developing its emerging proposals, has undertaken a series of technical assessments and intends to submit a planning application in 2023 (and certainly prior to the adoption of the new Local Plan). The Council can therefore be satisfied that there is more certainty regarding the intention to progress with an expansion of R-RMC Goodwood, certainly within the next five years.

Based on this, we suggest that there is an opportunity to reflect this position through an amendment to draft Policy A21. It is understood that the employment development is ‘not included in the [Plan’s] employment figures as it relates specifically to future operational needs for Rolls-Royce rather than to the broader employment requirement identified in the HEDNA’. However, the site has been tested through the Local Plan process and is considered through the HELAA and the wider Local Plan evidence base (e.g., the SA the Chichester Transport Study). It has been tested the same as an allocation and it would provide greater clarity and consistency to describe it as such. Notwithstanding this, it is also recognised that the policy as set out does not prevent R-RMC coming forward with its proposals subject to meeting the stated criteria.

In summary R-RMC supports draft Policy A21 but suggests it is amended to ‘allocate’ the site to ensure that the policy is fully effective and sound.