Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
provisions of sectoral, regional or local plans following their
nalisation
and adoption under the national planning framework. Proposals that are
not in accordance with plans should not be permitted unless they can be
justi
ed on grounds that they would make a greater contribution to
reducing ecological stresses than solutions identi
ed through the plan-
ning process. This presumption is intended to address the concern that
plan-making has little in
uence over markets by requiring that market
actors present proposals that are compatible with recommendations
contained in plans on preferred development types and on preferred
locations for development. The intention is to encourage developers to
explore with public bodies where a project would be likely to be accept-
able before seeking development consent.
Provisions of this nature cannot force market actors to provide the
services that would be required to implement policies if they choose not
to do so. However, the presumption in favour of development that is
consistent with plans, operating in conjunction with measures identi
ed
and adopted during policy-making for promoting preferred options, are
designed to steer markets towards ecologically desirable behaviours by
indicating (e.g., through taxation and subsidies) what types of activities
are regarded as preferable, and by closing off access to activities that are
judged to be incompatible with the goal of maintaining ecosystemhealth.
The presumption is also intended to encourage the participation of
business in plan formation. Whilst this has become common practice
in England and Wales since plan-led development was reintroduced in
the 1990s,
129
the hope is that participation under a framework that closes
down options where these would be ecologically incompatible will have a
positive in
uence on the preparedness of market actors to engage with
the search for stress-reducing outcomes.
Second, decision rules would make it clear when the pursuit of eco-
nomic and social goals will be restricted in the interests of ecological
protection. The provision of guidance on when environmental consid-
erations should take precedence is recognised by Cowell and Owens as
essential if a regulatory system is to exercise any real in
uence over
demand projections and markets.
130
Theissue,intheirview,isthat
'
'
in view
of the long-standing dominance of economic concerns in decision-
making unless formal provision is made for a priori consideration of
environmentally favourable outcomes cannot be guaranteed
129
Davoudi,
'
Sustainability
'
,125
-
6.
130
Owens and Cowell,
'
Land and Limits
'
, 1st edn, p. 112.
