Sustainability

Government is committed to Sustainable Development which requires a balance between

- social progress

- prudent use of natural resources

- protection of he environment

-maintenance of economic growth and high employment

It is self evident that these factors need to be kept in balance, which is a political process. If any one of these factors is given a veto, then the policy collapses. The way in which prescriptive environmental regulations, especially the Habitats Regulations, are framed effectively gives such a veto to English Nature and its counterparts in Wales and Scotland. Balance is not available if the environmental requirements are absolute.

Likewise, those involved in the day-to-day management of the coastal zone - the Relevant Authorities, in the language of the Habitats Regulations - need to keep these factors in balance when developing and enforcing their byelaws.