Governmental Logics in Commercialised Planning Practices. The Case of Local Authority Pre-Application Negotiations in the English Planning System. (1st January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Parker, Gavin; Dobson, Mark; Lynn, Tessa
• Is Part Of: Planning theory & practice. Volume 23:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 80
• Publication Date: 2022-01-01
• Subjects: Logics -- political rationality -- neoliberalism -- planning reform -- commercialisation -- local government -- pre-applications -- soft/fuzzy spaces -- negotiation; City planning -- Periodicals; Regional planning -- Periodicals; 307.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/14649357.2021.2011388
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-9357

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The paper provides an empirical review of a widely used tool in the English planning system – pre-application discussions ('pre-apps') and a theoretical exposition of governmental 'logics' that underpin neoliberal-informed planning reforms. We present five logic frames of growth, efficiency, commercialisation, participation and quality, and apply these to pre-application negotiation practice, to highlight how Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are faced with the challenge of reconciling a complex of multiple and often competing aims that appear irreconcilable in practice. We highlight that whilst 'ordinary' planning tools such as pre-apps may appear mundane, they can provide valuable instantiations where logics collide.