Natural Environment and Rural Communities Bill

moved Amendment No. 114:"Page 2, line 9, leave out ““conserving”” and insert ““protecting”” ." The noble Baroness said: The amendment speaks for itself, so I shall not go over the ground that I have already covered. I have before me a copy of the ODPM Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development, which was released today. Certain sections refer to issues that are relevant to this Committee. On integrating sustainable development in development plans, the document states:"““Planning authorities should ensure that sustainable development is treated in an integrated way in their development plans. In particular, they should consider carefully the interrelationship between social inclusion, protecting and enhancing the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and economic development””." The policy statement later refers to the need for planning authorities to take into account the range of effects, both negative and positive, on the environment of economic development, as well as the economic and social benefits of environmental protection. The statement raises other issues. Paragraph 28 states:"““Planning authorities should demonstrate how their plans are integrating various elements of sustainable development and should seek to achieve outcomes which enable social, environmental and economic objectives to be achieved””." Paragraph 30, on spatial plans, states:"““The new system of regional spatial strategies and local development documents should take a spatial planning approach. Spatial planning goes beyond traditional land use planning to bring together and integrate policies for the development and use of land with other policies and programmes which influence the nature of places and how they can function””." The Minister, the noble Baroness, Lady Farrington, may not have the document in her hands, but it has great relevance to my amendment and others in the group. I therefore draw it to her attention. If she cannot respond today, I would be happy if she did so on Report. I beg to move.