Islington may gain more than 33,000 new jobs by 2016, according to a study commissioned by Islington Council’s planners to determine future needs for land and premises to accommodate employment growth.<br><br>Consultants, Atkins, presented their employment study findings at a seminar on Thursday 14 July. The seminar was attended by borough councillors and a range of stakeholders, including representatives from local community groups, developers and housing associations. The event also included a discussion on balancing the competing demands between different land uses, in particular employment and housing.<br><br>The study looked at employment in Islington from 2001 to 2016, and predicts 33,033 new jobs during that period. According to the study, the banking, finance and insurance sector is set to continue its dominance of the Islington job market, growing by 16,876 jobs from the 2001 figure of 59,454 to 76,330 in 2016. But the biggest growth per annum – 3.4% – is predicted to be in transport and communications (17,293 jobs in 2001, compared to 26,116 in 2016). There is also strong growth forecasted for distribution and hotel/restaurant jobs (up 2% per annum, from 21,571 in 2001 to a predicted 27,958 in 2016).<br><br>But the main focus of the presentation, and the discussion that followed, was the importance of small business to Islington.<br><br>Cllr Laura Willoughby, executive member for communities said: <br><br>“Planning for and managing the influx of jobs is now an urgent requirement. <br><br>Businesses employing up to 10 people account for 85% of the Islington economy - this highlights the need for Islington’s planning policies to provide and protect the supply of affordable premises for small businesses."<br><br>The employment study was commissioned to inform Islington’s Local Development Framework (LDF), which will replace the council’s existing planning policies. A new law (the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act) requires that all local authorities develop an LDF. <br><br>The discussion after the seminar was part of the informal initial stage of consultation on Islington’s LDF, which will continue until 12 August. <br><br>The council wishes to encourage community involvement as early as possible in the plan-making process, before the options are narrowed down. The LDF has to be prepared in line with a procedure set out by the Government. There will be an opportunity for formal objections to be made later on, but the council is seeking to get a measure of agreement earlier on in the process. <br><br>This consultation prior to the drafting of the Local Development Framework marks a change in the way planning policies are developed in Islington. Normally a draft is presented for consultation, but for the LDF, the council's planners are gathering input in the early stages to ensure the community’s views are incorporated from the outset. <br><br>The LDF consultation documents can be viewed on the council’s website at: www.islington.gov.uk. Further information is available from the Islington Council Planning Policy Team on 020 7527 2000. Initial consultation comments are invited by 12 August 2005.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009