5. Providing for Employment

5.1 A key objective for the area is to strengthen and diversify local economies to provide more jobs and to achieve a better balance between the location of jobs and housing, which will reduce the need to travel and promote sustainable growth.

5.2 Braintree District's employment is relatively focused on industrial-type sectors, including construction and manufacturing. London Stansted airport, in neighbouring Uttlesford, plays a significant role in employing residents of the District and through the indirect economic benefits associated with proximity to such a large employment hub.

5.3 Retail is the second largest sector by employment and plays an important role in sustaining the District's three key town centres. The financial and insurance sector, where Braintree District traditionally has a relatively small proportion of employment, has seen some strong growth in recent years. This may be a growth sector in the future.

5.4 Colchester is the dominant urban centre within the Essex Haven Gateway. The Borough has developed a strong economy, linked to its "central place" functions and to the town's historic character, cultural activities and the university. Major retail and leisure services are also located both within and adjacent to Colchester town.

5.5 Health, education and retail each provide over 10% of employee jobs and collectively contribute 42% to the Borough's total employment.  A further six major Groups each account for between 5 – 10% of total jobs: Manufacturing; Construction; Accommodation and Food Services; Professional, Scientific & Technical; Business Administration & Support Services; and Arts, entertainment, recreation, etc.

5.6 Tendring District has a diverse economy with local employment across a range of activities. Health, retail and education are the largest sectors in terms of the number of jobs and together represent 45% of the District's total employment.

5.7 Within the western part of Tendring district, the economy and labour market of Manningtree is influenced by its relative proximity to Colchester and good transport links to London. The interior of the District is largely rural and is characterised by a high-quality environment, interspersed with small settlements.

5.8 Opportunities have been identified for Tendring to develop potential future strengths in offshore wind and the care and assisted living sector.

5.9 As part of the work to assess housing requirements, an analysis of economic forecasts was undertaken together with demographic projections to establish the inter-relationship between population growth, forecasts of new jobs and the number of new homes needed to accommodate these levels of growth. Employment Land Needs Assessments have been carried out by each authority which set out the amount of employment land that is required within the Plan period.

5.10 Braintree, Colchester and Tendring commissioned work to explore the employment opportunities associated with the development of innovative Garden Communities based on the likely demographic profile of these new communities and to develop quantified scenarios for future employment growth.  The consultants concluded that assuming political commitment and proactive delivery on the part of local authorities, Garden Communities had the potential to deliver one job per household, in line with the Garden Communities charter, and to support employment growth in surrounding areas. The Tendring Colchester Border Garden Community is considered to perform the best in employment terms given the opportunities provided by its location adjacent to the University Essex, but the other two Garden communities also are well-placed to take advantage of employment opportunities in new technology-based businesses, construction of the Garden Communities, access to employment opportunities in Colchester and Braintree town centres, meeting the growing need for local services, and accommodating elements of the logistics supply chain

5.11 Employment forecasts for the three authorities accordingly factor in the longer-term aspirations for employment growth arising from the positive spin-offs associated with Garden Communities.  It is important to note, however, that while job numbers can be expected to grow at a consistent rate, current trends point to overall lower requirements for additional B1 floorspace.  This reflects the growth of home working enabled by enhanced digital connectivity; the continuing decline of manufacturing with its need for large floor areas; and the prevalence of 'hot desking' leading to lower requirements for office floorspace.