§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will publish his Department's definition of sustainable development; and if he will make a statement on the application of this concept to the work of his Department;
(2) if he will amend the planning policy guidance notes produced by his Department so as to include references on the importance of an environmentally sustainable approach to the development of the Welsh coastline;
(3) if he will issue guidelines to planning authorities in Wales on the application of environmental sustainability within the planning process.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe Brundtland commission, in its report "Our Common Future" published 1987 stated
Humanity has the opportunity to make development sustainable—to ensure that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".In their environment White Papers, starting with "This Common Inheritance", the Government have made clear their intention to work towards ensuring that development and growth are sustainable. The concept of sustainable development is a global one, and it is for the Government to develop policies consistent with that concept, which can be reflected in local decisions. The planning system, and the preparation of development plans in particular, can play an important part in ensuring that development as a 717W whole is sustainable. The sum total of decisions in the planning field, as elsewhere, should not deny future generations the best of today's environment. The need to reflect the principle of sustainable development lies behind the revision of the range of planning policy guidance notes, currently well under way.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has made to the chairmen of the Welsh Development Agency and the Development Board for Rural Wales to encourage them to integrate their statutory objectives in the interest of formulating a sustainable development plan for the coastal areas of Wales.
§ Mr. David HuntThere is regular liaison between the two agencies on rural development matters as on all matters of common interest and each agency is represented on the board of the other.