Author(s)

CONSTANZE LOWRISON BELL

Abstract

This paper argues that underlying the debate regarding the correct interpretation of and approach to the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ in the National Planning Policy Framework are two more fundamental clashes. First, a clash between the role of lawyers and policy experts in environmental decision making; and second, confusion regarding whether sustainable development is intended to be an outcome of policy compliance or, some other, more amorphous concept.

Keywords

sustainable development policy, NPPF, presumption in favour of sustainable development