ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that an appreciation of the history of UK land-use planning regulation illuminates important ways in which rights can play a powerful role in shaping the evolution and implementation of regulatory practices. The principles of contract provided the basis for formalizing the use of negotiated solutions to regulate the impact of development activity. The chapter shows the history of planning agreements is indicative of the adoption of a level of regulatory variety or hybridity by central government and its officials. During the pre-modern era the significance of agreements as instruments of land-use control was recognized by central government. Regulation of the practice was achieved through the calibration of informal strategies that included the dissemination of information and the provisions of advice and guidance. The idea of regulation articulated in the archival texts is that of engendering control through fostering a climate of dependency and a willingness to comply.
