USS understands and supports the ambition to protect existing business space. USS notes that the proposed policy J/Al is intended to state that where loss is proposed, it will need to be justified by evidence that it is no longer needed which USS supports. USS requests that the proposed policy recognises that it is becoming increasingly important for town centres to cater for flexible uses and that office uses are not always required.

USS notes that an effective way of better utilising land is to redevelop brownfield land and re-provide the existing uses alongside co-located residential uses. This is a proven way of addressing both the housing shortage and the need for other uses.