Scrutiny and Direction: Implications of Government Intervention in the Development Plan Process in England

Abstract

This paper examines the role of central government in the development plan process in England and the implications of government intervention through two case studies. There is a brief introduction to the stages of plan preparation as a pretext for discussion. The two case studies involved Directions from the Secretary of State for the Environment to the Islington and Bolton local planning authorities. In both cases, the Direction was issued after the plan preparation procedures at the local level had been completed. The implications for the development plan process vis-a-vis the role of the development plan in guiding local development and the role of public participation and public inquiry in the preparation of development plans are discussed.