This thesis examines the role of the Crown in the import substitution of munitions of warfare in England from 1558 to 1642. It will attempt to determine whether the Crown was responsible for their introduction and subsequent development, and if it was, why. The cordage, sailcloth and gunpowder industries were chosen as case studies in order to examine this issue. All three were first determined to have been import substituted during this period. While the Crown clearly thought these goods were necessary for national security, it cannot be assumed that it assisted these industries and that it did so because it was concerned that supplies coming from the continent might be difficult to procure. Important aspects to consider are first, the impact of the Crown on these native industries through its direct purchasing behaviour, and secondly, the impact on the industries of government acts and ordinances. If the Crown was interested in reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for these goods, then it would be expected that the Crown would, through purchasing behaviour and through legislation, support the domestic industries. It is argued here that when the Crown did act with the domestic industries in mind, fiscalism and personal finance were important considerations. It often appears to have done nothing at all. This is particularly true of the sailcloth industry. Cordage appears to have received its initial impetus as a result of personal financial concerns, but subsequent Crown support appears to have been fiscal. While interest in a domestic source of gunpowder seems apparent, fiscalism runs like a thread throughout all Crown interactions with the industry.

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Infrastructure planning is viewed internationally and domestically as the key which unlocks balanced and sustainable economic growth. The emphasis amongst politicians, economists and planning academics has, so far, been upon infrastructure planning of national significance and examining the political, financial and environmental impact of mega projects. However, major infrastructure projects invariably take considerable time to deliver and any positive effects can only be derived in the longer term. Infrastructure planning as practiced within the local planning system has, so far, been overlooked or considered of limited interest in the context of immediate national economic concerns but understanding capacity and capability for effective and integrated infrastructure delivery at the local level is an important part of the equation. Through a national survey of planners and interviews with key delivery stakeholders in the north west this study has investigated infrastructure planning in local planning practice across England. The findings provide evidence that local practitioners in the public, non profit and business sectors are becoming increasingly adept at identifying local and regional infrastructure needs, co-operating on an inter-sectoral basis and ensuring that existing resources are utilised to best effect in their day to day practice. This untapped wealth of local knowledge, skill and expertise has great potential to complement and inform national infrastructure planning decisions and play an important part in stimulating economic recovery.

The fifteenth century was not marked by an epoch-making catastrophe, like the one which preceded it, or glorified by an outburst of literary activity, like that which followed; but it was none the less a most critical period in the history of the nation. Momentous events took place in the spheres of industry and commerce, which shaped its destiny in future days. England had hitherto depended largely upon her neighbours in these matters, but at this time she began to be conscious of her own powers, and entered upon the career, which she has never since quitted. Industrial development caused great changes in social life; it introduced new ideas, trained new faculties, and brought into prominence men who had been of little account in the past, and thereby it overthrew old modes of thought and old institutions. A century is, however, an arbitrary division of time, and the origin of some of the changes which swept over England in the fifteenth century may be found in the fourteenth. Other changes were not fully accomplished until long after the fifteenth century had reached its close, and they, in their turn, exercised a great influence upon conditions of life in the sixteenth century. Economic environment is only one of the many forces which mould social life ; religion, political institutions, and war are factors which must be taken into account, and they might have lessened the effects of the economic changes had not circumstances diminished their own strength. Religion was discredited by quarrels in the Church, and respect for the priesthood was decreased by its worldliness. Political institutions, however admirable, are of little practical use, unless they are well administered, but during the greater part of the century the Government was weak and inefficient. The authority of the Crown was lessened by a defective title and by wars of succession, and the nobles, who should have been its chief support, were absorbed in their private affairs, and cared little for the public good. War, it must be admitted, affected the characters of those engaged in it, and the deterioration of the baronage may be partially attributed to the demoralizing influence of the French War. But after the death of the Duke of Bedford the French War languished, the people took little part in it, and they had even less share in the Wars of the Roses. Morever, in so far as war reduced the numbers and lowered the prestige of the nobles, it acted in confunction with Economic forces, which deprived them of superiority by raising other classes to their level. Thus economic forces were not only able to hold Their own, but also materially to affect the development of other tendencies; and so religion and politics were tinged by a commercial spirit, and commercial intercourse formed the subject of much diplomacy. Consequently England made great strides as an industrial country; but her devotion to trade prevented her from paying much attention to other affairs, and she was hardly aware of the great awakening of thought which was going on in the South of Europe. A comparison of the progress of this country with that of other nations would be an interesting study, and though space does not permit it here, perhaps this slight attempt to describe life in England may furnish some data for this purpose. From several points of view, therefore, the Economic History of the fifteenth century has a special value for ourselves, for our own age must inevitably witness a like process of transition—new ideas are constantly presented to us, and new interests are being awakened from a long repose. Possibly, then, we can gain from the past some wisdom to guide our future policy.

This research aimed to explore the privileging of growth and its influence on planning in England. The research examined two contrasting case studies: Middlesbrough Borough Council and Cambridge City Council. The analysis of growth privileging is rooted within a constructionist ontology which argues that planning is about the way in which people construct value relative to the function of land. This perspective enables the research to position growth privileging as a social construction; a particular mental frame for understanding and analyzing place based challenges and an approach which has been increasingly absorbed by the UK planning community. Through interviews with a range of planning actors, the first part of the research examined the state of planning in the current political and economic context and the influence that a privileging of growth has on planning. The second part of the research investigated the merits and feasibility of the capabilities approach as an alternative mental frame for planning, an approach developed through the work of Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum. The research results disaggregate the concept of economic growth, based on the responses of interviewees and conclude that it is characterized by homogeneity. Growth is valued, not only because of its economic role, for example, supporting jobs and income but its potential in creating diversity, enriching culture and precipitating transformative change. Pursuing growth as an objective has a range of influences upon planning. In particular, it supports a utilitarian framework for decision-making which values spatial decisions on their ability to support aggregate economic growth. The research demonstrates the feasibility and merits of the capabilities approach as a means with which to better understand the relationship between planning and human flourishing. Based on this analysis, the research proposes that the capabilities approach can provide an alternative ‘mental frame’ for planning which privileges human flourishing as the primary objective or ‘final end’ instead of economic growth.