Sustainable development is defined as:
"Development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
(World Commission on Environment and Development,1987).
Sustainability is at the centre of the Council's vision for the future and our Community Plan provides ground rules for sustainable development across all Council Services.
We have developed and adopted a Sustainable Development Strategy to help us improve our effectiveness in meeting the sustainability objectives of the Community Plan.
This Strategy, which has been produced according to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, provides a focus for East Ayrshire Council's own economic, social and environmental performance. It provides guidance to our partners, stakeholders, businesses and individuals regarding the integration of sustainable development using the principles of Best Value. It also ensures that we are efficient and consistent in our deployment of resources as presented in the strategy.
The four key themes in the Sustainable Development Strategy cover sustainable procurement, energy, biodiversity and waste.
In addition to the Sustainable Development Strategy the Council is a signatory to the Scottish Climate Change Declaration. This declaration acknowledges the importance of climate change and is a means of demonstrating local leadership and commitment to action. It includes pledges to minimise our impact on climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to predicted climate change impacts.
The Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan sets out sustainable development principles in Policy STRAT 1 and Schedule 1 of the plan. The Structure Plan requires that these principles become prime considerations in framing planning policy and the preparation of future local plans.
The Adopted East Ayrshire Local Plan, through Policy SD1, states that 'the Council will adhere to the principles of sustainability in its consideration of all development proposals'.
The Alteration to the East Ayrshire Local Plan (Finalised Version with Modifications), through Policy SD1, reflects the provisions of Policy STRAT 1 and Schedule 1 of the Structure Plan.