ABSTRACT
Concepts of participation have entered a number of areas of argument during this period: academic political theory, industrial relations, 'community' politics, and the British planning process. Aldous poses a more specific set of arguments for participation in the planning process. Aldous says that 'the physical planning process concerns the reader all in a very thorough-going and permanent way'. Citizens should be advised to assist with, as well as to express views on, the planning process. In short, it is dubious whether the possible Utilitarian advantages of participation could justify adding further complexity to an already cumbersome planning process. Indeed, there have been efforts by local planning authorities since 1969 to implement the more modest recommendations of the Skeffington Committee. However, it is probably usually thought that participation will have only a modest effect on outcomes: the ritual retains a mildly ‘efficient’ facet, in Bagehot’s terms.
