The Localism Bill will have a fundamental influence on the shape and development of our communities. Through the introduction of neighbourhood planning and a duty for local authorities to cooperate, it will potentially reshape the future of planning in the UK.

One of the major downfalls of the Localism Bill, however, is its failure to define, and therefore, to be underpinned by, sustainable development. The Bill mentions sustainable development but is incredibly vague about how it is used. It cannot be allowed to be diluted when it should stand for the proper integration of social / equity, economic and environmental concerns.

A growing number of organisations have given their support to a joint statement to show the commitment of the societal, community and voluntary sector to a robust definition of sustainable development in the Localism Bill.

• Download the joint statement (pdf)

This statement will then be presented to Government ministers and MPs from across the House before the Report Stage of the Bill. It is then hoped that the Bill will be tightened to ensure that sustainable development becomes the centrepiece of the planning system for the next generation.

If your community, voluntary or environmental group/organisation would like to support this statement or would like more details please contact Simon Bowens or Charlotte Chan at Friends of the Earth.

• Simon Bowens - simon.bowens@foe.co.uk
• Charlotte Chan - charlotte.chan@foe.co.uk

For more information on the Localism Bill please visit - www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/decentralisation/localismbill/

An excellent Localism Bill briefing from Involve Yorkshire & Humber can be found here - www.involveyorkshirehumber.org.uk/resources/briefings/the-localism-bill/