Plain English Version
New Draft PPS 4 (Planning Policy Statement) [pdf link] about economic development suggests that mixed-use developments (buildings where residential, offices and shops may sit side-by-side) are the best plan. Mixed-use is better in bigger buildings.
Small offices or workshops work best in mixed-use developments. Different types and sizes of these would allow different types of business to start, grown and even more to new places within the same buildings.
In most cases these types of buildings create more jobs that industrial use, as well as making more places for people to live.
Original Document
New Draft PPS 4 (Planning Policy Statement) on economic development recognises mixed use as a way forward for economic development. Indeed it advises against using single designations to ‘restrict’ economic development - arguing for more mixed use developments. Mixed use works better on a larger scale than in small sites. It needs to be possible to create a genuine mixed use character where both employment and residential happily co-exist and can even generate mutual benefits, giving a greater sense of security and vitality for both parties. Small office/workshop type uses are those that work best in a mixed use environment. Units with flexibility for a multitude of uses for different business types, including incubation and move-on space, will widen demand for space and enable businesses to grow within the same location. In most cases such development will generate higher levels of employment than low density industrial use, will increase the number of dwellings and improve the environment.