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Unfortunately there are two factors that make the policy of Sustainable Development unworkable. First, most developments require multiple consents, so any one body can effect a veto based solely on its parochial interests (I.e. The essential balance of Sustainability fails to occur). Secondly, there is a peculiar way in which government custom and practice works to defeat the policy. (It has been christened the “Whitehall Loop” which is reviewed in the environment section)
Most competent authorities will consult the conservation agency (e.g. English Nature) for advice on the conservation aspects. Unlike most competent authorities, English Nature cannot (and should not) take social and economic factors into account when giving their advice. But few officials in any competent authority would override a recommendation by a conservation body, the result being that English Nature, almost unwittingly and unwillingly, have been given a veto, and balance has gone out of the window.
If any of the four aspects of sustainable development is given a veto over the others, then the policy collapses. This has happened in the coastal zone, partly for the reasons described above, and partly because the legislation does in some cases seem to give veto powers.
Unless we can develop a way to make development work, serious conflict is just around the corner in the Solent.
Complexity of organisation is one of the ‘Black Holes’ into which environmental policy could disappear. There is a real risk that serious, worthwhile environmental goals will fall foul of public impatience
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Process Complexity also defeats attempts to reach rational decisions on development projects
The next pages give examples of fatal complexity from other sectors.
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