The phrase "a damaging development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that has negative consequences or effects.
Example: "The recent changes in policy have led to a damaging development for the local economy."
Alternatives: "a harmful occurrence" or "a detrimental situation."
Local communities threatened with a damaging development would be able to act to protect their environment by asserting fundamental rights on behalf of the environment, instead of fighting losing battles against landowners' property rights.
His move to one of Arsenal's biggest Premier League rivals represents a damaging development for the club and things could be about to get a lot worse, as several other players look to be on their way.
The report, and Australia's subsequent lack of a public apology, prompted Yudhoyono to suspend co-operation on defence and border protection – a damaging development given the Coalition's reliance on Jakarta for co-operation in stopping the flow of asylum boats from Java.
Sean Christian of the RSPB in Wales said it was a "very damaging development in an environmentally important area".
The planning system exists to prevent unsustainable, unnecessary and environmentally damaging development.
For example, when giving advice on planning applications, Natural England would lose the ability to objectively resist environmentally damaging development.
The National Trust is saying the reforms will lead to "unchecked and damaging development" spoiling the countryside, backed by the Telegraph's campaigns against "the threat of uncontrolled development".
That clear mission has since been muddied by the Supreme Court, exposing thousands of miles of streams and millions of acres of wetlands to pollution and damaging development.
"Speculation around [Emmerson's]... future with the inquiry was yet another damaging development, following the multiple resignations of chairpersons," he said.
Campaigners fear that unless the Lords can restore the original purpose of the planning reforms, and secure a fair and transparent system that delivers genuinely sustainable development, local people's voices will go unheard and environmentally damaging development will result.
Concerns have also been raised, following widespread exploitation of shale resources in the US, that it can cause local environmental problems including polluting water supplies and damaging development.
