THEMES | Environment

Introduction

“Through working together we will make Derwentside an attractive place to live and work”

Enjoyment of the natural environment has become more and more important to the quality of peoples lives, in terms of recreation and of health. There is no doubt that the sympathetic amalgamation of the built and natural environment promotes regional investment whilst attracting new businesses and new residents. A beautiful place to live and work is a primary need for all.
Sustainability is about ensuring a better quality of life for you and future generations.

“We have to find a new way forward. We need greater prosperity with less environmental damage. We need to improve the efficiency with which we use resources. We need thriving cities, towns and villages based on strong economies, good access to services and attractive and safe surroundings.” (DETR 1999) 

 The natural environment of Derwentside is one of great beauty; ancient wooded valleys link the high western moors to the pastoral east of the district. Sustainable, early exploitation of natural resources resulted in a built environment where local materials were used to generate a vernacular architecture and industry peculiar to the district. In the last 200 years, close-knit communities have grown up around industry and mining with a distinctive regional character and sense of place.

Recent years have seen the decline of the District’s traditional industries. Towns and Villages that grew because of the industries no longer have that association and their character is changing. The link between the natural resource and the modern world of work and housing is no longer an obvious one.

National transport links mean that the region no longer needs to be self-sufficient. At the same time enjoyment of the natural environment has become more and more important to the quality of peoples lives, in terms of recreation and of health. There is no doubt that the sympathetic joining together of the built and natural environment promotes investment whilst attracting new businesses and new residents. A beautiful place to live and work is a primary need for all.

The new challenge is to create sustainable environments, promoting local culture, enjoyment, business, transport, the need for new housing and recreation without any loss to the natural resource and beauty of the District. This can only be achieved by foresight, resource input, education in its broadest sense, planning and partnership. 

Creating a Derwentside which recognises and values its natural assets, utilises and accesses its resources in a sustainable way, recognises the value of its own place and its people and takes a responsible position in the context of the wider world.