Local case studies

Abstract

Two local case studies are introduced– one from Oxford and the other from Barking and Dagenham in London - of the influence of the finance-housebuilding sector reaching down to the level of day to day planning decisions made by local authorities, making planning for local communities a huge struggle which local authorities and communities often end up losing. The chapter draws conclusions from the case studies about the power of landowners, and the loss of local accountability and control that local communities have over planning and housing in their localities.