Government rules out legal definition of sustainable development

Taken from planningresource.net, article by Bryan Johnston, 12 September 2011

Ministers have turned down calls from MPs to introduce a legally binding definition of sustainable development as part of their overhaul of the planning system.

Whitehall's response to a Commons Environmental Audit Committee report published in March argues that the national planning policy framework (NPPF) is the best place to explain how the planning system can help achieve the government's vision for "mainstreaming" sustainable development. This was set out in a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs document in February. 

"That vision also makes very clear that the three 'pillars' of the economy, society and the environment are interconnected, and that our long-term economic growth relies on protecting and enhancing the environmental resources that underpin it, and paying due regard to social needs," the response says.

It contends that the NPPF will "make the pursuit of sustainable development its principal goal, with, crucially, the 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' permeating the whole document".

It adds: "This, in turn, means that a legal definition of sustainable development, or further general statutory obligations requiring the application of sustainable development principles, is not necessarily required for planning to play an effective role in helping to promote and secure sustainable development goals."

The government said the five principles of sustainable development set out in the 2005 Sustainable Development Strategy provide a "useful reference point". These seek to achieve:

- Living within environmental limits
- Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society
- Achieving a sustainable economy
- Promoting good governance
- Using sound science responsibly

The full response can be read here. 

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