Schedule of Proposed Changes to the Policies Map

R-RMC suggests that the Policies Map is updated to delineate the existing R-RMC Goodwood site as an ‘Existing Employment Site’ to reflect its historic, existing and continued operations. This would be consistent with NPPF paragraph 81, which seeks to create conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars (R-RMC) objects to the omission of the existing R-RMC Goodwood site as an existing employment site as covered by Policy E2. Whilst R-RMC supports the proposed addition of expansion land: Land East of Rolls-Royce (Policy A21), it is also important the existing key employment site is reflected properly in the Plan.

The existing R-RMC Goodwood site first opened in 2003 after R-RMC received planning consent (ref: 00/03103/FUL) to establish its headquarters on the site. Since then, production has increased, and the site has been subject to further planning applications and permissions to facilitate additional employment development and alterations.

Through the original and subsequent planning applications and consents, the R-RMC Goodwood has established itself as an employment site which positively contributes to the district and wider economy. Indeed, planning applications at the site have historically made reference to it as an Existing Employment Site, and it is considered that the Council already views the site in this context for decision-making and therefore the Local plan should recognise this.

Given the existing employment development on the site and the proposed expansion to the east (which further demonstrates R-RMC’s commitment to manufacturing activities at the site), R-RMC suggests that there is an opportunity to regularise the categorisation of the existing R-RMC Goodwood site as an ‘Existing Employment Site’. This would be consistent with NPPF paragraph 81 where it is stated: “Planning policies and decisions should help create the conditions in which businesses can invest, expand and adapt. Significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity, taking into account both local business needs and wider opportunities for development.”

Therefore, R-RMC suggests that the Policies Map is updated to delineate the existing R-RMC Goodwood site as an ‘Existing Employment Site’ to reflect its historic, existing and continued operations.