ABSTRACT
The key concept in planning for the built environment is that planners try to guide and shape development by positive guidance backed up by negative control. Planners thus use two of the mechanisms set out in the Gilg/Selman spectrum in Chapter 1. First, the positive tool of exhortation and advice as represented by land-use plans and policy statements which set out where planners would like development to take place. Second, the negative tool of regulatory controls as represented by development control which gives planners the power to accept, modify or refuse applications to develop or change the use of land. The right of private interests to develop land as they see fit has therefore been conceded in the public interest.
