Managing environmental, social and economic benefits Quality of Life Assessment is a tool for maximising environmental, economic and social benefits as part of any land-use planning or management decision. Promoted by the three agencies (Natural En...
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What is Quality of Life Assessment

Managing environmental, social and economic benefits Quality of Life Assessment is a tool for maximising environmental, economic and social benefits as part of any land-use planning or management decision. Promoted by the three agencies (Natural England, English Heritage and the Environment Agency), it reflects the Government's integrated approach to sustainable development.

The Quality of Life Assessment Approach:

  • stands back from areas or features and considers the benefits  that they provide for human well-being ("what matters and why?")
  • provides a systematic and transparent evaluation framework for all scales of decision-making
  • integrates environmental, social and economic issues
  • emphasises improvement of quality of life rather than acceptance of the status quo
  • values the commonplace as well as the unusual and rare
  • puts professional/expert judgements alongside the concerns of local people
  • works with other tools and processes including Environmental Impact Assessment, Sustainability Appraisal, Community Planning and Best Value.