New patterns of governance in the English region: assessing their implications for spatial planning

摘要: Compared with the constitutional changes introduced elsewhere in United Kingdom, English regions a more cautious approach has been adopted based on administrative decentral- isation. A key feature of government's reforms strengthening regional spatial planning and transfer function to unelected assemblies. We examine how far these have assisted achieve greater discretion over policies corporate planning. Our central argument is that, given absence elected government England, there are outstanding institutional, cultural, resource obstacles extending freedoms flexibilities. Nonetheless, introduction new statutory strategies, together commitment Whitehall coordinate budgets, offers potential way forward.