Chapter 7
The Planning Office of The Land Is Ours

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Who are we?

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Quotations from Chapter 7 of Agenda 21

Who are we?

Chapter 7 is a UK organization which campaigns to provide access to land for all households through environmentally sound planning.

Chapter 7 lobbies for:

• Firmer guidance on what distinguishes a sustainable development from an unsustainable one;
• Policies which permit low impact and sustainable developments and/or exclude unsustainable developments.
• Alternatives to the proliferation of car-based urban sprawl
• The safeguarding of some urban land for sustainable low-profit use, including affordable housing, workshop space and yards, markets, independent shops, public transport facilities, allotments, community projects and gardens.
• Planning policies and procedures which cater for the special needs of self-built homes and workplaces and the community provision of facilities.
• Strengthening the public's right to appeal against major development proposals.
• Bringing major agricutural activities within the planning system.

Chapter 7 will press for these measures, by publishing reports and newsletters; responding to Government consultation papers; liaising with the media; lobbying decision-makers and local councils; providing a planning consultancy service for low impact developments; and publicizing and supporting appropriate direct action.

Our first major project was the report 'Defining Rural Sustainability: 15 Criteria for Sustainable Developments in the Countryside together with Three Model Policies for Local Plans', published in February 1998. A subsequent project will be a briefing pack explaining how members of the public can influence the development plan process in their area

If you would like to support the work of Chapter 7 and be kept informed of its activities, you are invited to join our mailing list, by filling in the form below. You will be sent at least three newsletters a year plus occasional information about relevant events and campaigns taking place in in your region. Chapter 7 will be happy to network and publicize information you send us about developments in your area.

Chapter 7 can also help individuals and groups who are trying to gain planning permission to fill in their planning applications, submit appraisals, and fight appeals. Call our office on Thursdays for planning advice.

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I would like to be placed on the Chapter 7 mailing list, and receive additional information, including at least three newsletters over the forthcoming year.

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Quotations from Chapter 7 of Agenda 21

'All countries should . . . strengthen the indigenous building materials industry, based, as much as possible, on inputs of locally available natural resources . . . promote the increased use of energy efficient designs and technologies and sustainable use of natural resources . . promote the use of labour-intensive construction methods . . . develop policies and practices to reach the informal sector and self-help builders . . . discourage the use of construction materials and products that create pollution during their life cycle.'

Agenda 21 Chapter 7

'All countries should, as appropriate, support the shelter efforts of the urban and rural poor by adopting and/or adapting existing codes and regulations to facilitate their access to land, finance and low cost building materials.'

Agenda 21 Chapter 7

Index | Who are we? | Contact us | Newsletters | Defining Rural Sustainability
Planning for Sustainable Woodlands | Planning Precedents | DIY Planning Briefing Papers

Chapter 7 - planning advice for U.K. sustainable settlements