Grotton Revisited:Planning in Crisis?

Some thirty years ago the small Metropolitan County of Grotton found itself bathed in the bright glare of publicity as The Grotton Papers lifted the lid on the inner workings of the six planning departments of this hitherto little remarked corner of England.

The intervening years have seen Grotton's County Council aim at the admirable and mostly achievable target of becoming "average with moderate prospects of remaining average" in the Government rankings, and the struggles of the District Councils to come to terms with planning in the late twentieth – let alone twenty-first – century are once again under the spotlight.

The original authors of The Grotton Papers have come together once more to offer an experienced and surprisingly unjaundiced look at the way the British planning system works. Their comprehensive survey allows real lessons to be learnt from what Grotton has – and just as importantly hasn't – done since they were last in town.

Grotton Revisited is without doubt the finest (and indeed the only) satirical book on this vitally important subject. It is suitable for planners of all ages and abilities, and will be essential reading for anyone who has ever had contact with the planning system, or thinks they may know someone who has. First class entertainment and education for professionals and general readers alike.

Published in association with the RTPI.

Steve Ankers was Assistant Director responsible for environment, countryside management, economic development, transport planning and road safety at East Sussex County Council. He was previously head of Countryside Planning at Greater Manchester Council and then Director of Greater Manchester Countryside Unit. He has served on various national bodies including the UK Biodiversity Steering Group, National Coasts and Estuaries Advisory Group, Countryside Recreation Research Advisory Group, Countryside Staff Training Advisory Group, and was Advisor to the AMA on Countryside and Wildlife. He now works part-time as Planning Officer for the South Downs Society, while worrying about his global footprint and Liverpool FC.

David Kaiserman worked as a town planner for 30 years with Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Council. During this time, he led teams which prepared the County’s Green Belt and the City Council’s first Unitary Development Plan, and played a major role in a number of high-profile public inquiries. In 1996 he left the post of Acting Director of Planning and Environmental Health at the City and joined TRA Ltd as a Senior Associate, providing training and consultancy support for local authority planners and elected members. At the same time he became a consultant planning inspector. Since 2007 he has been trying to avoid having anything to do with writing this book.

Chris Shepley CBE was the Chief Planning Inspector from 1994 to 2002. Previously he was Director of Development at Plymouth City Council (1985–1994), and held various posts including Deputy County Planning Officer at Greater Manchester Council (1973–1985), and at Manchester City Council (1966–1973). He was President of the RTPI in 1989. He is Hon Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster and held a similar post at the University of Manchester (1990–1994). He has an Honorary DSc from the University of the West of England. He is on the RTPI General Assembly, and the Policy Council of the TCPA, has been on the Council of the European Council of Town Planners and the Planning Aid Council, and is a trustee of the Theatres Trust. He writes a regular column in 'Planning'. He now works as an independent planning consultant. He also grumbles competently.