Ministers have issued guidance to ensure sustainable development is not damaged by planning decisions.

The rules, published on Monday, offer authorities advice on how to meet the requirements of the European Directive on Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA), which comes into force next year.

The new regulations will apply to land use and spatial plans in the existing planning system and that proposed under the planning bill.

The SEA will require all plans and programmes to face an assessment of their environmental impact before they are adopted.

Although the guidelines will only apply to England, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is assisting the devolved institutions in Scotland, Wales and eventually Northern Ireland in their preparations.

"Sustainable development must be at the centre of the planning system and the environment at the forefront," said housing minister Keith Hill.

"Successful, thriving communities must work with not against the environment.

"Our new guidance will help local authorities meet the challenges of the directive, get value from it and use it in making their plans sustainable."