Environmental Law Foundation - sustainable communities project

Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) launched their impressive sustainable communities project in 2009. The project addresses the social inequalities suffered by the poorest people in local communities as a result of environmental decision making and the quality of their local environment.

Read about ELF Sustainable Communities Project

The sustainable communities project aims to raise awareness of how the law can be used by community groups to address local environmental issues such as local planning and environmental concerns. Under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to make strategic use of all the legal and democratic means available to them to address the local environmental concerns that affect them.

The project is being rolled out across the nine regions of England and includes a series of community driven events including seminars and workshops. Each event offers an opportunity to look at local issues, specifically or more generally, discuss possible solutions and consider the best action to take. ELF events generally include participation from ELF solicitors, barristers and technical specialists who are local to the area.

Project events include:

Environmental question time with a panel of experts, taking questions from the audience;

Single issue events focusing on a particular local problem with the affected group;

Wider regional events looking at regionally significant environmental issues, such as the effects of climate change and increased rain fall as predicted in the North East;

Events partnering with local environmental organisations;

Educational events in schools.

The role of ELF is central for bringing about independent and impartial discussion between local community groups and local decision makers on community governance issues, the planning process and the duty to involve. This dialogue enables all participants to contribute effectively to decision making.

ELF also sees its role as monitoring local authorities and advising on good practice in the adoption of the SCA (Sustainable Communities Act) process and the setting up of citizen’s panels.

Environmental Law Foundation

The Environmental Law Foundation is a national UK charity founded in 1992 to help people use the law to protect and improve their local environment and quality of life. ELF has a network of specialist lawyers and consultants across the UK providing free guidance and support to those in need of assistance. They provide education and training including lectures, conferences and seminars. ELF also produces publications and encourages policy development.

More about Environmental Law Foundation

Sustainable Communities Act 2007

The Act provides a mechanism for local people to put forward ideas to improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of their area. Ideas proposed by citizen's panels are put to local authorities, who, through the Local Government Association acting as the "selector" provide a shortlist for central government.

The Act presents an opportunity for local groups to be engaged in environmental democracy by bringing about real change in the environmental policies of local authorities. The Sustainable Communities Act is just one tool that ELF has identified that can be used by local people to effect change

Local Government Association Guide to the Act