Please read this report from Lambert Smith Hampton, which basically says that we have lost 770,000 sq metres of employment space in the last 10 years. This is equivalent to the combined office space of Watford, St Albans and Welwyn Garden city. This at a time when the demand for office space is up 19%.
Basically, this is, inter alia, as a direct result of government policy, to build new houses to cater for immigration.
There is no provision for additional transport, parking, education or medical facilities, and yet the immigration figures continue to rise year on year. Now there is a significant reduction in commercial space which will push up rents, so there won’t be any jobs for anyone either.
The Report says
“Deteriorating Image – there is a risk that Hertfordshire may be seen as ‘closed for business’, at least in a number of the key market areas, or may suggest a location in which business needs are secondary.”
You can read the full report here
Loss of Employment Space in Hertfordshire
This is confirmation of what we all know, government policy is destroying, small and medium-sized businesses, the people who innovate, and create 60% of employment in the UK.
I don’t know what the National picture is like, but it is not looking good for Hertfordshire.
It is time to get some competent people running the country.
Lucy Gravatt
We would like to make it known that this comment reflects the view of Nick Brown and in no way, shape or form reflects the findings of the Loss of Employment Land report or the views of the LEP.
nick brown
Lucy hi, Thank you for your comments, presumably, the views in the report are however the views held by Lambert Smith Hampton, and the LEP did commission this report.
If the LEP does not agree with the report then please let me know in which areas, so we can clarify the matter.
It is clearly a matter of great importance to local businesses to know if government policy is effectively removing commercial space.
I was discussing exactly this problem with members last week, and one of them said
” How many examples are there of houses being knocked down to build commercial space”.
I don’t know of any perhaps you do?
Anyway please let me know if you have any further information.
Kind regards
Nick
Carl French
It’s good to see this dire situation being highlighted. It’s just one part of the country’s disastrous planning systems. A complete freeze on new residential property in London and the home counties would help to start re-balancing things.