Regional housing figures in England: Policy, politics and ownership

This paper critiques the process of arriving at housing allocation figures for development planning in England, focusing upon regional debates. It considers the balance struck between policy (national) considerations and (local) political priorities, illustrated through two case studies: the East of England (and RPGI4) and the English North West (and RPG13). These particular regions exemplify the dual poles of current planning policy in relation to housing provision: avoiding over-supply in the north of England and delivering managed growth in the south. The paper concludes by looking at 'ownership' of regional and county figures, at the excesses of central intervention, and at how such interventions run contrary to government's own philosophy for planning for housing in England.