Structure Plan Chapter 2 - The Strategy - Working Towards Sustainable Development
2.2 - Sustainable Development
- 2.2.1
The phrase "Sustainable Development" is most commonly defined as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs". Sustainable Development is about making sure we improve the quality of life for everyone both now and in the future. To make development sustainable, three themes have to work together.
- Environmental Integrity - ensuring that the natural and historical assets of the area are sustained and enhanced
- Community Well Being - ensuring that communities have access to jobs and services and to good environmental conditions
- Economic Vitality - ensuring that the quality of the area is maintained or enhanced as a competitive location for economic activity.
- 2.2.2
The goal of Sustainable Development is one that is widely shared across the world. It is also a key part of policies at all levels of Government. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the Fifth Environmental Action Plan for the European Union, the UK Government's Strategy for Sustainable Development and many other of the Government's policies reflect this commitment to "Work Towards Sustainable Development".
Both Councils are also preparing Local Agenda 21 programmes, which set out how Sustainable Development can be integrated within the Councils' actions.
- 2.2.3
The Structure Plan can make a large contribution to Sustainable Development by providing clear and effective guidance, allowing land to be used for housing, shopping, business, leisure and other forms of development, but within the constraints set by the need to protect and enhance the environment. In short, it can create a framework within which we can not only aim to secure sustained and appropriate economic growth, improved employment and education opportunities and improved quality of life, but also conserve and enhance the local environment.
- 2.2.4
Social cohesion is an important objective of Sustainable Development creating sustainable communities that meet the needs of everyone and that address the problems of social exclusion. The Structure Plan assists and supports strategies aimed at creating a better quality of life in local communities: in terms of housing requirements, the distribution of local employment opportunities, providing good access to workplaces, provision of services, education and lifelong learning, and providing healthy environments. Provision of access to opportunity is an essential element of social inclusion and is a key Sustainable Development theme of this Plan.
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