Introduction: What it is and why it matters, opportunity and vision
Gloucestershire’s Local Growth Plan: What is it and why it matters.
Gloucestershire’s Local Growth Plan (LGP) sets out a bold and inclusive economic vision to enhance prosperity, the environment and wellbeing for all.
It identifies five core economic missions and champions a collaborative, county-wide approach to delivery, bringing together public sector partners, businesses, education providers, the voluntary sector, and local communities to create opportunities for Gloucestershire’s residents. Through this shared commitment, the plan aims to unlock Gloucestershire’s full economic potential, drive sustainable growth, and improve quality of life across every part of the county. It is designed to serve as a lever for investment by clearly articulating the county’s unique strengths and opportunities.
Our founding ambition is that economic development will improve the lives of those who are most disadvantaged in our county.
As a forward-thinking, pro-business region, Gloucestershire’s LGP outlines a strategic direction to create a thriving and resilient economy based on sustainable principles. The plan highlights the importance we place on economic development taking place within the context of a healthy and attractive natural environment and as a means of wealth distribution.
It has been shaped through stakeholder engagement and has been co-created by all of Gloucestershire’s local authorities reflecting our shared priorities and collective ambition.
At its core, the plan identifies:
- Five economic missions critical to Gloucestershire’s economic success.
- How Gloucestershire’s high growth sectors will support delivery of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.
The Local Growth Plan is a live and fluid document that will be monitored and reviewed to maintain consistency with local economic priorities. As Gloucestershire progresses through Local Government Reorganisation and its devolution journey, the LGP will need to evolve to become more focused with increased detail on its delivery priorities as additional funding is identified and secured. Its success will depend on strong partnerships and collaborative delivery.
The LGP defines how we will create Gloucestershire’s future - together.
Opportunity and vision
Gloucestershire is a remarkable place, renowned globally for its biodiverse and beautiful landscapes, the quality of its urban heritage, innovative businesses, vibrant festivals, and thriving culture. It is a place where heritage inspires innovation, and where ambition is deeply rooted in the identity of its people and places.
This LGP is not just a celebration of what makes Gloucestershire great today. It’s about setting out five critical economic missions that will propel Gloucestershire forward, shaping a future that is more economically inclusive for the county’s residents.
This plan is unapologetically pro-business, recognising the vital role of SMEs, pioneering industries, and high-growth sectors in driving prosperity. But growth must be achieved within environmental boundaries to protect what makes Gloucestershire remarkable, it must also enable our unwavering commitment to achieving carbon reduction targets and becoming carbon Net Zero by 2045.
At the heart of this plan is a clear commitment: to champion Gloucestershire as a high-quality place to live, work, and invest. With competitive salaries, high-quality commercial space, and access to excellent schools and universities, our county offers a wonderful lifestyle and affordable growth prospects for business.
Gloucestershire is a national leader in cyber, advanced manufacturing, digital innovation and equally in green growth. The county’s thriving rural economy underpins opportunities in tourism, agroecology, restorative agriculture, and agri-tech. This unique convergence of economic and environmental ambition places the county at the forefront of the UK’s green growth agenda, where sustainability and competitiveness go hand in hand.
We are fully aware of the challenges ahead, raising productivity levels, tackling deprivation, delivering financially attainable housing, addressing climate change and closing the skills gap. These are complex issues, but this LGP is designed to enable this change by facilitating the conditions that support economic opportunities for all while safeguarding the county’s environmental assets. Achieving this balance is critical to building a more inclusive, resilient future.
Our vision for economic growth:
"Gloucestershire: Ambitious for our people, our businesses and our planet - inspiring enterprise and innovation, leading to enhanced prosperity and wellbeing for all residents.”
This vision goes beyond the single aim of economic growth. It’s about:
· Building a county where people of all ages and backgrounds feel connected to their communities and ensuring that everyone can access skills and training to improve their employment opportunities.
· Giving confidence and stability for businesses to invest in Gloucestershire and create jobs that sustain prosperity.
· Ensuring that success is shared, raising people out of deprived areas so that everyone can thrive.
· Realising that nature and biodiversity are the contexts in which businesses and people can thrive.
Together, we can shape a county that is fairer, smarter, greener, and even more remarkable than it is today. The five economic missions outlined in this plan will help us get there.
Gloucestershire’s five economic missions
The five economic missions identified in the LGP provide a clear, strategic framework to enable inclusive, sustainable economic development across the county. Businesses of all sizes, particularly our SMEs, are recognised as vital to the success of the plan in their capacity as engines of growth.
Each mission represents a key driver of Gloucestershire’s broader economic priorities, supporting innovation, resilience, and long-term prosperity. They are intended to be cross-cutting enablers that support the county’s diverse economy and help ensure that increased prosperity is experienced across every community
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