Environmental Protection and Enhancement

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) publish annual data on progress against national sustainable development indicators. Key findings published in January 2008 for the Northwest of England include:

Land use

• In 2005, areas of outstanding beauty accounted for 11% of the Northwest and 18% of the region is designated as a National park (compared to 8% all England).

• In 2006, 83% of new dwellings were built on previously-developed land or through conversions. Land recycling in the Northwest remains consistently above the England average of 71%.

• Between 1994 and 2006, dwelling density in the region increased from 25 to 47 per hectare. This is roughly in line with the England average.

Environmental quality

• Data for 2004 showed that the Northwest was responsible for 148,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions to air, 59,000 tonnes of sulfur dioxide (SOx) and 12,700 tonnes of particulates (PM10). Compared to total England and Wales emissions, the Northwest accounted for 11% of NOx, 8% of SOx and 10% of PM10.
   
• In 2006, 56% of the total river lengths in the region were categorised as being of good biological quality. This represented an increase of 12 percentage points since 1990. The region ranked 8th in England in terms of biological water quality.
   
• 63% of total river lengths were considered to have good chemical water quality in 2006. This represented an improvement of 22 percentage points since 1990. The region ranks sixth when compared to other England regions.

Further details can be found at:
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk/progress/regional/index.htm