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Enterprise zone sparks planning team expansion

Written by: Colin Marrs
Published on: 19 Aug 2014
Category:

Science Vale Oxfordshire

Vale of White Horse Council is beefing up its major applications team due to a rise in work at the Science Vale enterprise zone.

The 113-hectare zone is spread across two sites and is aimed at the advanced manufacturing, engineering, aerospace, energy, ICT and healthcare sectors.

The council runs a joint planning service with neighbouring South Oxfordshire District Council, and the zone straddles both authorities.

The council is recruiting for a senior major applications officer, along with another more junior post which has become vacant.

Development manager Derek McKenzie told Planning: “We are already seeing a rise in large applications on the Science Vale sites.

“The aim is to create jobs but we will also have to find more housing and land and could see some major applications in this arena.”

The area has been touted as a potential location for a garden city, a concept being promoted by the coalition government as a way of dealing with housing pressures in the South East.

The new staff member will be expected to provide advice on major applications, negotiate section 106 agreements, help manage staff and attend council meetings to present recommendations relating to applications.

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