2 UK and Regional Sustainable Development
2.1 The UK Sustainable Development Strategy defines
sustainability as; ‘providing a better quality of life for
everyone, now and for generations to come’. It continues;
‘Although the idea is simple, the task is substantial. It
means meeting four objectives at the same time, in the UK and the
world as a whole:
- social progress which recognises the needs of everyone;
- effective protection of the environment;
- prudent use of natural resources; and
- maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and
employment.’
2.2 The document entitled; ‘Core Report Part of the Integrated
Regional Framework 2004: A Better Quality of Life for in the South
East sets out the vision objectives, targets and measures for
sustainability in the South East region.
The Overall Vision for the Region
‘Our vision is of a prosperous region delivering a high
quality of life and environment for everyone, now and in the
future’. This will necessitate Social progress which recognises the
needs of everyone; Effective protection of the Environment; Prudent
use of natural resources and Maintenance of high and stable levels
of economic growth and employment.
2.3 The Integrated Regional Framework (IRF) identifies 14
issues, which are of particular importance in achieving the vision,
these are:
- an ageing population and its implications
- the impacts of changes in social attitudes and behaviour
- health issues in their widest sense
- reducing exclusion and deprivation and spreading economic
benefits more widely
- accountability, especially for socially excluded groups
- transport priorities and how to improve choice and balance
- globalisation and its economic impacts
- the impacts of technological change
- achieving economic growth with reduced impacts and
consumption
- ensuring an adequate supply of affordable housing
- greater natural resource efficiency and a reduction in rates of
consumption
- more effective countryside management
- responding to the climate change challenge
- developing effective spatial planning responses.
2.4 The IRF develops these 14 strategic issues into 25
objectives with indicators and targets, which will be implemented
via the various regional plans, strategies and programmes. These
are shown in Appendix 2.
2.5 Havant Borough Council intends to integrate the IRF into
the Sustainability Appraisal of the Council’s entire Local
Development Framework.