Richmondshire has a unique heritage and a strong sense of
history. However, we must not forget the future as we
celebrate the past. Although the environmental quality in
Richmondshire is generally very high, there are a number of issues
that need to be addressed before we can look forward to the future
of Richmondshire.
There are people in Richmondshire who suffer from the effects
of rural isolation, poor access to quality services, restricted
housing choices, fuel poverty and lack of educational
opportunities. The natural and built environment are
both under threat of over-exploitation of resources, pollution
and loss of habitats (see the
Biodiversity page). Sustainable
travel and travel planning is a key issue in
this district. There are lots of things that both
individual households, and
businesses can do to save money, energy and
resources as well as cutting their carbon footprint. And
there's an
Education page to help
teachers with resources for lessons incorporating sustainable
development and climate change.
At Richmondshire District Council we are committed to
sustainable development and aim to address the problems in the
district. Sustainability is a core value of the
Richmondshire's 2021
Community Strategy and our
Council
Plan and this Sustainable Development Strategy is our
commitment to turn this core value into action.
Richmondshire District
Council made a Green Travel Plan in 2008, aiming to reduce the
impact of staff and members travel on the environment, but this has
fallen into disuse. This document is due to be reviewed, please
check back for updates.
We have published a
Sustainable
Development Strategy (PDF, 1.38 Mb) and an accompanying
Sustainable Development Action Plan (Word, 460 kb), which sets
out the actions that we will take and those we will encourage
others to take to live and work more sustainably. The Action
Plan is updated annually.
If you would like to request a paper
copy of the strategy please contact Bryony Wilford, the
Sustainable Development Officer by calling 01609
767160 or by emailing
sustainable.development@richmondshire.gov.uk.