In this paper the impact of central-government policy on development-control practice in Bristol in the 1980s is examined. Through an examination of a local campaign by development interests against control practice, the ways control practice changed during the period is revealed and the criticisms made in local campaigns against the planning authority are evaluated. Then the imposition of an urban development corporation and the local fight against designation are explored, revealing how this also affected control practice, and a preliminary evaluation of the performance of the corporation is made. The author shows how a tough negotiating stance with developers has been progressively eroded to ensure that planning has become more of an enabler of development and less preoccupied with community impact or environmental quality.
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