Do House Values Influence Resistance to Development? - A Spatial Analysis of Planning Objection and Appeals in Melbourne

Critical perspectives, largely in American literature, point to the historical influence of affluent homeowners on planning and argue that because of its role in housing markets, planning can reflect and reinforce patterns of socio-economic difference. Although institutional contexts vary, the article hypothesises that similar patterns may be evident in Victoria, where an important facet of the planning system is that third-party objection and appeal rights (TPOAR) in planning are comparatively strong. The author uses planning application and tribunal data for local governments to model spatial and temporal variations in rates of planning objection and appeal, in relation to measures of housing prices and socio-economic advantage. Objection and appeal is found to be more likely in relation to higher density housing, but much more likely again where existing housing values are higher. There is evidence that communities with greater economic interests in, and resources to engage with, the planning system make disproportionate use of opposition channels.