United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Territory:	244.820 km²
Inhabitants:	60.209.500 (2005)
Number of communities:	395
Inhabitants per community:	152.429
Density of population:	246 Inhab./ km²
GDP per Inhabitant:	US$ 39.213

«There is no national [spatial] plan for Britain, but many
 national policies regarding spatial aspects»

Planning and Compulsory Act 2004:

• A key element in the government's agenda in order to speed up 
  planning processes to make them more efficient and to simplify
  them.
  
• An end to planning immunity of the royal family, local planning
  officers work out a development plan (requirements for
  interconnected development plans)
  
• Government only has limited powers in planning matters
• England (283 councils)
  
• Regional spatial planning strategies (8 regions and Greater London)
  
• Local development framework (in the form of a portfolio): Local
  development plan and an overview of development (scheme), local
  councils to be included (participation process), adjust annual review
  to geography, physical and demographic characteristics, internal
  and external connections and neighbouring areas.
  
• In urban areas, only one level of government for structural / local
  planning.
  
• East of England Plan 2004: Regional strategy for planning and
  development in eastern England due to lack of necessary
  infrastructure which hasn't been fulfilled by central government.
• Northern Ireland (26 councils)
  
• Own development plans and spatial development strategy.
• Wales (22 councils)
  
• Published own statutory spatial plan.
  
• One level of local government develops structural and local plans
  
• Despite the new law, positive aspects of UDP (unitary development
  plan) are kept.
  
• Local authorities are strengthened to include their policies. Local
  development plans are more precise and simpler
  
• Directives / dictates are necessary to realise necessary
  developments.
• Scotland (64 councils)
  
• Only one level of local government: local planners draft a unitary
  development plan (regional town plans, structural and local plans)
  
• No legally binding spatial planning system.

Summary of the interviews
There is no uniform spatial planning for Britain. For the different areas of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland varying planning systems exist.

Spatial planning in England is characterised by the Greater London area and on one side and the rest of the country on the other, whereas the London area is much more prosperous and shows greater problem
pressure. Spatial planning is seen as part of the discussion about the sustainable development of Greater London.

The regulation of spatial planning structure in England is achieved with Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and Planning Policy Statements. The RSS are established from regional public bodies and authorised at a national level. They contain statements about settlement structure and priorities, about green belts and public transport.

The British infrastructure during the Thatcher era has to a great extent been privatised and no longer commands any spatial control. It is run on purely economic grounds.

Interviews
Dr. Chris Gossop
John Zetter