ABSTRACT

This chapter categorises the range of European measures and initiatives that potentially comprise or impact upon spatial planning, and the planning system of Britain in particular. The way in which EU membership influences planning in Britain depends to an extent on the nature of the EU measures under consideration. Community activity takes a variety of forms, each impacting in different degrees on planning policy and practice in member states. The main types of European measures comprise four themes, namely EU legislation, financial instruments, pilot projects, demonstration programmes and experience exchanges, and analytical frameworks and scenarios. There have been four initiatives supporting integrated coastal zone management, and these have comprised the TERRA programme, the LIFE financial instrument for the environment, the PHARE programme in Central and Eastern Europe and INTERREG IIC, all of which contribute to over thirty-five demonstration projects. The Commission intends to formalise a directive on integrated coastal zone management in due course.