Planning obligations, the market orientation of planning and planning professionalism

The paper uses planning obligations as a vehicle for exploring the relations between policy, practice and professionalism in planning. The basic character of the British land use planning system has not changed since 1947. However, the inter-penetration of private market and public welfare ethos in the policy process is posing an increasing challenge to the strong public service orientation of the planning profession. Practising planners have exercised their autonomy and exploited the discretionary spaces that exist in the planning system to defend the professional culture of planning. Consequently, the planning system has proved resistant to moves by both the 'New Right' and 'New Labour' to make it less interventionist and more market orientated. Planning obligations represent these circumstances in microcosm. They are probably the most significant element of the planning system where planners are confronted by the need directly to consider (development) economics. Current practice with regard to planning obligations also diverges significantly from central government guidance. Both these circumstances pose dilemmas for planners' professional culture. The principles and practices relating to planning obligations are explored through interviews with planners in selected local authorities and two detailed case studies of planning agreements. The results demonstrate how planners attempt to reconcile conflicts between competing professional and market imperatives.