The Vision for Leeds 2004 to 2020 is already firmly grounded in sustainable development - development which is capable of being maintained at a steady level without using up natural resources or causing severe damage to the environment. To check that the social and environmental elements of sustainability are optimised and that the various components of the Vision do not conflict with sustainable development or each other, an independent sustainable development appraisal has been carried out on the Vision for Leeds.

An appraisal framework based on local, regional and national priorities was developed and applied to each of the eight Vision themes. This process included consultation and discussion with the Leeds Initiative strategy and partnership groups responsible for developing the themes.

The former Leeds Environment City Partnership and Arup, a multi-disciplinary consultancy, carried out the appraisal. The document is available to download to the right.