Putting Localism in Place: Conservative Images of the Good Community and the Contradictions of Planning Reform in England

Figures & data

Table 1. Phases of ‘localist’ planning reform.

Phase	Approximate dates when strongest	Key developments	Ideological character/tensions
‘Big Society’ localism	2009–2011	Publication of Open Source Planning Green Paper by Conservative Party in opposition/Introduction of Localism Bill by Coalition Government	Period marked by strong promises that planning can be a key symbol of the Big Society
‘Growth’ localism vs. ‘One-nation’ localism	2011–2012	Publication of the draft National Planning Policy Framework; Daily Telegraph’s ‘Hands off our Land’ campaign	Neoliberal proposals to deregulate meet opposition from broad alliance of preservationist and localist groups
‘Muscular localism’	2012-Present	Growth and Infrastructure Act, 2013; heightened Treasury input and emphasis on deregulation and housing delivery	Series of further neoliberal initiatives to deregulate control, including increased use of central government powers