Sustainable development justification and principles

The council's planning service operates in the public interest of the long-term benefit of our existing communities, as well as protecting the interest of future generations. In accordance with the SPPS, the policy requires the integration of all three pillars of sustainable development – social, economic, and environmental factors – but recognises that a balanced approach should be adopted to ensure that none of the pillars are promoted over the others. Our communities and economies are completely dependent on the environment that encompasses them, and are therefore bound by its capabilities and finite resource limits. The LDP is promoting inclusive economic growth to diversify and strengthen the economy, which will enable job creation for the benefit of the whole community. In proactively promoting development, the council shall protect and enhance the city's built heritage and the natural and historic environment. It is important to secure the orderly and consistent development of land to deliver the council's social and economic priorities alongside the careful stewardship of the built heritage and natural and historic environment. The council will support development that will help to deliver an efficient, compact city form, which is environmentally attractive, highly accessible and is not demonstrably harmful in meeting its needs now and in future. Development proposals that conflict with the LDP, where they would unacceptably affect amenities, compromise the environment and the existing use of land, and buildings that ought to be protected in the public interest, will not be permitted.