So, English Partnerships is behind schedule on delivering new homes as part of its Millennium Village programme (“Seven years after EP promised 6000 homes, just 668 are built”, 2 July, page 9). The big question is: what factors underpin this delay?

Is it incompetence within English Partnerships? Is it restrictive planning legislation at the local level? Is it awkward local councils? Or is it due to community consultation and participation?

If the latter has been the key factor, it would seem inappropriate to blame English Partnerships for any wrong-doing.

If blame is to be placed anywhere it is at the doors of “democracy”, since “the people” have expressed their rejection of plans/proposals. In turn, this means that we have to look at policies for community consultation and participation.

Is community consultation and participation the answer to success in urban regeneration and (re)development, or is it more of a hindrance?

Source

Housing Today

Postscript

Dr Paul J Maginn, Centre for Social Research, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia