Project Sustainability

It bears repeating that government as declared that the four objectives to achieve Sustainable Development are:-

- Social progress which recognises the needs of everyone

- Effective protection of the environment

- Prudent use of natural resources

- Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and 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. With the aid of the , 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.

If this happens, then the planning system has also collapsed, which in turn undermines local democracy

The general issue of Sustainability is discussed elsewhere on this website.