Chapter 12 - Caring for the Environment
Protecting and managing resources, and creating healthy
living environments
Improving the quality of the environment within which we
live can make an important contribution toward achieving a
better quality of life. Significant progress towards more
sustainable forms of human settlement cannot be achieved without
a continuing contribution being made by a change in the attitudes
and lifestyles of individuals. The Strategy aims to promote
within the wider community a greater awareness of environmental
issues and the important links between environment, health
and well being. It sees in this relationship the possibility
of creating over time a step change in the general health
and well being of the whole community.
The enhancement of biodiversity, the total variety of all
living things ranging from the complex interaction which occur
within habitats and landscapes to the level of genetic variation,
will be one of the most powerful indicators of progress towards
sustainability. Similarly, growing appreciation of the cultural
heritage expressed in historic town centres and in the landscapes
of rural areas, and industrial traditions, will be a measure
of a Region which values its rich legacy from the past for
the benefit of future generations.
Global climate change has been identified as an issue which
must be taken into account in planning the future development
of the Region (C2). An objective of the Strategy is to contribute
to reducing the impact of global warming, both locally and
globally, and to emphasise the importance of cutting environmental
costs generally, by reducing the consumption of natural resources
and energy from non-renewable sources, and increasing the
amount of waste material which is recycled rather than dumped.
 The
cultural heritage in the environment
Our environment, and particularly the landscape, has been
shaped and altered by thousands of years of human activity
and change. The distinctive heritage of buildings and other
features, and changes in the landform, are complemented by
less obvious, or even invisible remains, representing agricultural,
industrial, defensive and ritual aspects of life in the past.
Landscape is part of our cultural heritage. It links our
past and our present, providing a 'sense of place' in space
and time. ‘Sense of Place’ provides feelings of re-assurance
and belonging, it is a shared inheritance which enriches our
quality of life and it can be a source of inspiration and
creative energy. It is also our legacy for future generations,
which development must therefore respect, and to which good
development will also contribute.
The Strategy deals with the cross-cutting issues that link
the natural and the built heritage. It recognises that a range
of statutory measures is appropriate, such as designations
for conservation and protection, while promoting good stewardship
of all our environmental resources and cultural heritage to
the benefit of present and future citizens.
The
environment and the economy
The Strategy identifies the value of the environment, not
only as a natural and cultural resource, but also as an important
economy resource with potential to create and support business.
There is a widespread perception that environmental constraints
may limit development opportunities and so reduce employment.
But this ignores the potential for new employment in recreation,
tourism, conservation and technology. This could include agri-environment
business, that is creating environmental goods, recreation
resources, and businesses related to cleaning up the environment
and eco-management. The landscape and the coastal areas can
also be described as a ‘social good’ accorded value by society
for aesthetic and recreational reasons. Strategic environmental
assets therefore need to be managed in a positive way for
the benefit of the whole community and as a means of enhancing
tourism and economic development opportunities.
Assessment
of environmental impacts
The environment is not an infinite resource and is extremely
sensitive to change. It is easy to identify direct impacts
from, say, construction schemes, or certain types of industry,
but it is more difficult to recognise harmful effects which
arise due to an accumulation of minor or indirect impacts.
In order to maximise the benefits to be enjoyed from the environment,
and minimise the adverse impacts, it is necessary to monitor
the changes which take place and consider what corrective
actions will be needed to protect and enhance that environment,
including, where necessary, endeavouring to reduce development
pressure on the environment.
It is important that this evaluation takes place each time
a major development or policy decision relating to the environment
is made. For this reason, the RDS has been subjected to Strategic
Environmental Assessment during its preparation and it is
intended that at each further stage of Regional Planning Policy
preparation the outcome will be tested for sustainability.
The major themes in the Strategy relating to the environment
(Diagrams 13, 14 and 15) are:
- Protection of the Environment (SPG-ENV
1 - SPG-ENV 4)
- The Natural Environment including
the Coast
- The Built Environment
- Wise Use of the Environment (SPG-ENV
5); and
- The Environment and Health including
Recreation and Cultural Amenities (SPG-ENV 6 and SPG-ENV
7).
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