Modernizing democracy: Constructing a radical reform of the planning system?

This paper evaluates the Labour Government's programme of modernizing local government and assesses the impact on the delivery of the town planning se rvice. Four key elements of this strategy have been identified: a programme of democratic renewal, a new ethical framework, the promotion of best valu e in local service provision, and a revised local government finance system . The paper anticipates how these new ideas on sharpening the performance o f focal government will impact an the English planning system which is also coming to terms with the creation of two new regional agencies. New opport unities for democratic governance and alliance building are thus being gene rated. The paper argues that the accretion of rules over time and the confl icting demands on the planning system will act to circumvent the intentions of the present Government to reinvigorate citizen participation.