A Joint Statement on the Localism Bill by 'Wildlife and Countryside Link'

Link to statement on 'Friends of the Earth' web site

"The UK is facing unprecedented challenges for the 21st Century - economic recovery, climate change and biodiversity loss, increased urbanisation and the need for greater social equity. The need for us to strive to achieve sustainable development and effectively address these issues has never been more pressing. 

"An effective, strategic planning system has an essential role to play in delivering true integration of economic, social and environmental priorities and objectives at all levels.The organisations listed here support the amendment of the Localism Bill to include the following definition of sustainable development to apply to planning:

'sustainable development' means development that meets the social, economic and environmental needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs including the application of the following principles:

1. living within environmental limits;
2. ensuring a strong healthy and just society;
3. achieving a sustainable economy;
4. promoting good governance;
5. using sound science responsibly."

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Link to Wildlife and Countryside Link web site

'Greenest Planning Ever Coalition'

"Planning policy should set the benchmark for the quality of development and how it relates to the natural environment.

"In October 2010, 22 voluntary organisations, both Link members and partner bodies, came together to form the 'Greenest Planning Ever Coalition'. The coalition is concerned with planning reform in England and is supported by 6.5 million members and thousands of volunteers.

"We are the Big Society in action, showing people’s passion for a healthy natural environment.

"Our manifesto, 'Our Vision for the Future of Planning', calls for a national planning framework which sets a benchmark for the quality of development, protects greenbelt land and threatened habitats, and promotes strategic planning across local authority boundaries.

"Ensuring we can successfully adapt to and mitigate climate change, and providing the public with an effective say in key decisions are also key."