ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an insight into the principles involved in the planning process considered as vital components of development practice. In relation to property and real estate markets the role of planning is designed to co-ordinate and facilitate the efficient use of resources, specifically relating to the limited supply of land being either vacant or improved. A large number of government agencies and departments are involved in the planning system. This includes dedicated planning departments depending on the size of the town, region, state/county/borough and country. The concept of development can be divided in two general categories, one being the physical operations such as building or engineering works and the second being the making of a ‘material change of use’. In many regions the relevant legislation has incorporated a compulsory requirement for an environmental impact assessment or an environmental impact study, where a developer is often required to produce an environmental statement as part of a planning application.
