Room for Manoeuvre? An Actor-network Study of Central-Local Relations in Development Plan Making

Abstract

This article explores some of the connections and tensions between central and local government as exhibited in the British plan-making process. Research into this topic draws on case studies of the plan-writing process in two locales and analyses these from an actor-network perspective. In particular, the processes of constituting both ‘central government’ and more ‘local’ networks are explored through comparing the two cases. Whilst it was found that a ‘central government’ network ordered much of the plan-writing activities in both cases, significant room for manoeuvre was created for ‘councils’ and ‘planning officers’ in particular. It is concluded, however, that this room for manoeuvre was not fully explored by these groups, and instead established procedures were replicated.

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