1.Introduction
From the outside looking in,the English planning system is often viewed with a degree of curiosity and with false perceptions of stabil-ity.In truth,it has become a political football that is in a constant state of flux,as various governments,of differing political persuasions,seek to reform a system that does not seem capable of delivering their aspirations.This process of change is continuing and,in August 2020,the UK Government launched a new White Paper entitled Planning for the Future which promised a radical review of the English planning system.