The National Planning Framework and development plans are obliged by law to be prepared with the objective of contributing to sustainable development. Legislation also requires planning authorities to consider guidance on sustainable development issued by Scottish Ministers. The planning system influences where development is located, how the development performs in terms of need for heat and power, and how reliant the occupants of the development are on walking, cycling, public transport and private cars.
Sustainable development is a very broad topic area that includes climate change, flooding, waste, energy, transport, place people and health.
Policy
The aim is to achieve the right development in the right place and the five principles of sustainable development for the UK are:
Living within environmental limits;
Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society;
Achieving a sustainable economy
Promoting good governance; and
Using sound science responsibly.
Those principles are expressed in 21 criteria in Scottish Planning Policy for the planning system to put into action through development plans and development management
Also Worth Seeing
The following links direct you to web sites or documents which influence or are influenced by the Scottish Government's approach to sustainable development in the built environment