Reforming the British planning system 1964-5: the Planning Advisory Group and the genesis of the Planning Act of 1968

New Labour's Election Manifesto declared that 'Labour will create a much stronger planning framework which integrates transport planning and land-use planning'. In January 1998 the Government published proposals for 'modernizing' the planning system and for improving regional planning guidance. Some thirty years ago a group was set up to advise on these matters, and its report on The Future of Development Plans (1965) led directly to the system of structure and local plans enacted in the Town and Country Planning Act 1968, which remains the basis of the present system. It is interesting, and may be useful, to recall that earlier review of 1964-5.