CONCLUSIONS
52. The new duty of sustainable development that applies to the National Planning Framework and development plans offers significant opportunities for planning. The duty is an important and timely reminder of the fundamental role of planning in shaping our cities, towns and rural areas. The national planning framework, strategic and local development plans are the most appropriate vehicles for addressing the spatial aspects of sustainable development, bringing together the locational aspects of sustainable development as part of long term settlement strategies. Using these mechanisms, along with supplementary planning guidance, decisions on individual cases and robust monitoring and enforcement, planning can create better places and make sustainable development not just an aspiration but a reality.