ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the influence of localities over development planmaking in the 1990s in the aftermath of Conservative governments’ rhetorical attack and system fine-tuning in the 1980s and early 1990s. The impact of this system ‘reorientation’ is appraised and aspects of consolidation and change under the governance of John Major are identified. Our conclusions regarding the influence of localities are primarily drawn from detailed case studies of Lancashire, West Midlands and Kent, carried out as part of research sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
