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Environmental Assessment of Development Plans: Interim Planning Advice
The environmental policy context
Sustainable development
14. As indicated in Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 1, the Scottish Executive is committed to integrating the principles of sustainable development in its policy agenda. The Scottish Ministers expect the planning system to support and inform this wider policy agenda, linking principles and actions to enable sustainable development. Co-ordinated action between different programmes and priorities is essential to increase effectiveness and value. Development plans are an important link in the policy chain and their compatibility with sustainable development principles is essential. They are important as a means of integrating policies and decision making through their influence over the location of development and other changes in the way land is used.
15. Enabling sustainable development requires co-ordinated action, combining economic competitiveness and social justice with environmental quality and justice. In particular development plans should encourage sustainable development by:
- promoting regeneration and the full and appropriate use of land, buildings and infrastructure;
- promoting the use of previously developed land and minimising greenfield development;
- conserving important historic and cultural assets;
- protecting and enhancing areas for recreation and natural heritage;
- supporting better access by foot, cycle and public transport, as well as by car;
- encouraging energy efficiency through the layout and design of development;
- considering the life-cycle of development from the outset; and
- encouraging prudent use of natural resources.
16. Development plan policies should address sustainable development at the local level whilst reflecting national and international goals. Both the short-term and the long-term consequences of policies must be considered from the outset. The following sustainable development principles may be relevant to environmental assessment and it is for planning authorities to apply them in a manner appropriate to all the circumstances:
- where potential damage to the environment is both uncertain and significant, precautionary action may be necessary (the precautionary principle);
- decisions should be based on the best possible scientific information and analysis of risks;
- ecological impacts must be considered particularly where resources are non-renewable or effects may be irreversible; and
- cost implications should be brought home directly to the people responsible - the "polluter pays" principle.
National and international environmental policy context
17. The Directive requires that the "environmental report" (see glossary) of the assessment should state how any environmental protection objectives set at international, Community or Member State level, which are relevant to the plan, have been taken into account during the preparation of the plan. The Scottish Executive's priorities, actions and targets for sustainable development in Scotland are published in "Meeting the Needs" Paper 2002/14 of the Scottish Executive Environment Group dated April 2002. This reflects some of our environmental commitments to the international community with which development plans should be consistent and which should be used to inform their assessment. The environmental objectives and criteria set out below ( Appendix B) are intended to be comprehensive of the wider environmental protection objectives and should form an adequate basis for compliance with Article 5 and Annex 1 (e) of the Directive.
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