The provision of 3,200 additional B class (see glossary) jobs to 2033 will be supported. In order to deliver these, land will be allocated for a net gain of between 37,000 and 47,000 sq m of floorspace for B1a and B1b uses and between 4.7 and 5.3ha land for B1c, B2 and B8 use class floor space to ensure an adequate supply of land is available for employment purposes. This will provide a range and choice of employment floor space over the plan period and accommodate the predicted future growth in economic development required for Guildford’s economy to develop and increase.

The Plan aims to ensure sustainable employment development patterns, promote smart growth (see glossary) and business competitiveness, and allow for flexibility to cater for the changing
needs of the economy.
We will:

• support the retention, creation and development of small local business by encouraging a range of types and sizes of new premises including incubator units, managed workspace and serviced office accommodation
• support the provision of essential ancillary employment facilities close to places of employment
• support rural economic development opportunities,
• support proposals which come forward to redevelop outmoded employment floor space and cater for modern business needs.

B Class Uses
Strategic Employment Sites

The seventeen designated sites that together make up the borough’s current core supply of employment land will be protected as Strategic Employment Sites and changes of use from employment to non-employment uses resisted. The retention, intensification and employment based regeneration of these sites is encouraged. The Strategic Employment Sites are:

Office (B1a) and Research & Development (B1b) Strategic Employment Sites

• Guildford Town Centre employment core
• Surrey Research Park (extended)
• Guildford Business Park
• London Square, Cross Lane
• 57 and Liongate Ladymead
• The Pirbright Institute.

When developed, the new employment site at Gosden Hill Farm will be treated as a Strategic Employment Site.

Industrial (B1c, B2 and B8) Strategic Employment Sites

• Slyfield Industrial Estate
• North and south of Lysons Avenue, Ash Vale
• Riverway, Astolat, Weyvern at Peasmarsh
• Cathedral Hill Industrial Estate
• Guildford Industrial Estate, Deacon Field
• Woodbridge Meadows
• Midleton Road Industrial Estate
• Merrow Lane (incl Perram Works, Bridge Park, Merrow Business Centre, SCC depot)
• The Guildway, Portsmouth Road
• Quadrum Park, Peasmarsh
• Woodbridge Park, Woodbridge Road
• Henley Business Park, Normandy

When developed, the new employment site at Garlick’s Arch, Send Marsh/Burnt Common, will be treated as a Strategic Employment Site.

Locally Significant Employment Sites

The Locally Significant Employment Sites will be protected and within these sites changes of use to non-employment uses resisted. The retention and regeneration of these sites is encouraged and intensification where possible will be considered to be appropriate.

The Locally Significant Employment Sites include all sites which meet the definitions set out below and include:

• 31 Chertsey Street and 1-7 Stoke Road, Guildford
• Andrew House, College Road, College House (89 and 91), Stoke House, Leapale House and Bell Court, Guildford
• 65 Woodbridge Road, Guildford
• The Pines Trading Estate, Broad Street
• Send Business Centre, Tannery House, Tannery Lane, Send
• Grange Court, Tongham
• The Courtyard, Wisley

The Strategic Employment Sites and the Locally Significant Employment Sites are shown on the borough Policies Map.