The quest for certainty: introducing zoning into a discretionary system in England and the European experience

Dembski, S. and O'Brien, P. (2023) The quest for certainty: introducing zoning into a discretionary system in England and the European experience. Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning, (doi: 10.14512/rur.1695) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

The critique of planning and new proposals to reform the English planning system and “rethink planning from first principles” have led to the introduction of rules-based principles into what is regarded as the paradigm of a discretionary planning system, culminating in a recent White Paper, which it is claimed will create a faster and better planning system than the existing discretionary approach. But are these proposals based on an oversimplified understanding of the differences between discretionary and regulatory models, neglecting, for example, the negotiation between stakeholders and the flexibility which also exists in regulatory planning systems? Our contribution will review some of the recent changes of the English planning system and reflect on experiences with zoning in European countries to bust the myth that the planning reform claims to address: the possibility to combine faster decision making with better place making and less interference from local planning authorities.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Funding: This work has been partially funded by the Scottish Land Commission.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Brien, Dr Philip
• Authors: Dembski, S., and O'Brien, P.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning
• Publisher: Oekom Verlag
• ISSN: 0034-0111
• ISSN (Online): 1869-4179
• Published Online: 26 July 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 by the author(s)
• First Published: First published in Raumforschung und Raumordnung | Spatial Research and Planning 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license