ENVIRONMENTALLY friendly Ribble Valley Borough councillors have given the green light to a special charter which will help safeguard the countryside for the future.

Members of the environmental and social services committee heard that a draft policy statement setting out the authority's environmental aims and commitments should be prepared by next month and that a full programme of review and implementation will take place over the next two years.

The charter has been developed in response to a a United Nations Conference on the environment in 1992 where 150 nations, including the United Kingdom, endorsed Agenda 21.

Agenda 21 sets out how both developed and developing countries can work towards sustainable development without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

A large percentage of the actions involved in Agenda 21 require the active involvement of local authorities and the term "Local Agenda 21" is now being used.

The new policies will include Ribble Valley council following the best environmental practice and reducing damaging environmental impacts.

In a report to the local environment committee, Mr David Morris, director of development for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: "Everyone is, to a lesser or greater degree, concerned about the environment, after all the future of mankind depends on a natural environment which is able to sustain existing and future generations.

"The threats which currently face our environment will affect us all.

"Working towards sustainable development is a major step towards safeguarding the environment."

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