Building in Arcadia

Chapter 3Decision-taking

Decisions are made in a policy environment that presents conflicting ambitions for rural development. The national position is that rural development is acceptable when it recognises the character and beauty of the countryside, and when sustainability is not dependent on location. However, local development plans frequently set out to protect all of the countryside. This conflict often results in laying decision-taking at the door of the planning inspectorate, who then must determine the planning balance. Individual inspectors make their assessment of the potential impact on sustainability, and character and appearance. In order to allow local communities to influence where development is located and what it will look ...