Planning and Environmental Protection: A Review of Law and Policy

This collection of essays examines the roles which land use planning can play in the protection of the environment. The subjects covered range from traditional concerns like pollution,nuisance and contaminated land to biodiversity and the pursuit of sustainable development, which forms the defining element of current environmental policy across the European Community and in most other developed economies. Environmental assessment is discussed, along with the succession of public law actions (Twyford Down included) by environmental activists which were necessary to convince the English courts of the full implications (and the ‘direct effect’) of the EC Directive 85/337. The later chapters become progressively more concerned with the planning system as the forum of negotiation and more participatory approaches (as distinct from fiscal instruments and command and control regulation) to encouraging sustainability. The contributors represent a variety of academic disciplines (law, geography, planning, environmental management) offering complementary insights into the planner's role in allocating land uses so as to minimise waste generation and energy consumption as well as maximising local amenity.

Table of Contents:
1. The Environmental Roles of Town and Country Planning Chris Miller 2. Town and Country Planning and Water Quality Planning William Howarth 3. Planning and Air Pollution Chris Miller 4. Risk, Land Use Planning and Major Accident Hazards Gordon Walker 5. Planning and Nature Conservation: Law in the Service of Biodiversity? Christopher Rodgers 6. Derelict and Despoiled Land—Problems and Potential John Handley 7. Environmental Assessment Christopher Wood 8. Planning for Sustainable Waste Management Judith Petts 9.Reconnecting Networks and Buildings: the Development Process and the Reshaping of Water, Energy and Transport Demands Simon Marvin and Simon Guy 10. The Environment and the Regions: a New Agenda for Regional Development David Gibbs 11. Postscript Chris Miller

About the Author :
Chris Miller is a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management at the University of Salford.

Review :
Each of the chapters is well researched and well written and a useful feature is the boxes which give information on the significant arguments and case-law relevant to each topic.it is recommended for practitioners who want to understand the current state of law and practice …an enjoyable collection many gems in this book. A definitive buy for the library (multiples recommended) and, at the price, very good value for the individual purchaser. This is a timely and thought provoking book which should be read by many - including anyone who has responsibility for determining the future shape of our planning system.