Thatcherism and planning

Abstract

This work explores the impact and influence of the New Right's intentions for planning through Simplified Planning Zones. It identifies the contradictions and confusion of Thatcherism that led to vague legislation and objectives allowing localities to interpret Thatcherism for themselves, often using policies such as Simplified Planning Zones for reasons different than those intended. This study examines four Simplified Planning Zones in detail, and concludes that local authorities have substituted their own objectives for the zones and used them for reasons which are at odds with their Thatcherite aims. This work therefore consolidates the implementation perspective of Thatcherite policy failure through the example of Simplified Planning Zones.