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<p>Environmental sustainability is at the heart of our approach to the Oxford-Cambridge
Arc, with a core focus for the Spatial Framework development being sustainable green
growth.</p><p>The natural environment does not fit within administrative boundaries,
so a cross-boundary approach is intended to make it easier to deliver against environmental
priorities across the whole area. This includes working closely with local partners
across the Arc including local planning authorities.</p><p>To ensure sustainability
is embedded in the Spatial Framework we are producing a Sustainability Appraisal to
address environmental issues alongside social and economic issues as the framework
and its policies develop. This will inform decision-making and help achieve improved
sustainability outcomes. A Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report has been prepared
as part of our public consultation this summer. This provides more information on
our approach and on the Arc's environmental assets.</p><p>Two further stages of public
consultation on the Spatial Framework will follow, including a second consultation
on policy options, and a third consultation on the draft framework. Each stage will
be supported by the Sustainability Appraisal and evidence to explain our approach
to policy development.</p><p>We also appreciate the significant work that has already
been undertaken by local partners to develop an evidence base to support planning.
We will review the existing evidence and use the most relevant, up-to-date and reliable
analysis, to help inform the Spatial Framework's development.</p>
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