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The concept of "Sustainable Development" has been endorsed at the highest
level by most of the world's governments and this is now a major influence on
the policies in the Unitary Development Plan.
Sustainable development is commonly defined as development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. Put another way it is about ensuring a better quality
of life for everyone, now and for future generations to come.
Sustainable development has wide-ranging implications and is not simply
confined to environmental protection. It acknowledges: -
- the need for social progress which recognises the needs of
everyone;
- the necessity for effective environmental protection;
- the requirement for a prudent use of natural resources;
- the importance of economic growth and employment.
Bridgend County Borough Council fully endorses the concept of Sustainable
Development and it is a primary concern of the Unitary Development Plan to
balance the benefits of development against its possible impact on the
environment. In this context the guiding principle of the Unitary Development
Plan is: -
to improve the quality of life for
the residents of Bridgend County Borough in ways which are compatible with
the principles of sustainable development.
Sustainability Appraisal
In order to help ensure that the over-riding principles of Sustainable
Development are given due consideration, and are accorded their necessary
priority, a systematic and independent sustainability appraisal of the plan has
been undertaken. This ensures that the objectives of a policy are clearly laid
out and that trade-offs between options have been identified and assessed.
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