sustainable communities and sustainable developmenta review of the sustainable communities plan

The Government has made housing a central element in itsoverall growth and development strategy. It is one of the keyfactors that will shape the country’s decision on whether to jointhe Euro Zone. Housing shortages and costs are significantfactors in the recruitment and retention of key public sectorworkers in the South East, with resultant major impacts onhealth, education, transport and social services. Housing andneighbourhood decline are considered major blighting factors inlarge parts of our urban landscape around the country and theproblems of low demand dominate much government thinking.Thus the Communities Plan aims to address the challenge ofdelivering ‘sustainable communities’ through a range ofmeasures to meet high housing demand and cope with theenvironmental and social impact of low demand.[...]