British land use planning's ability to accommodate rapid or unexpected large scale change is investigated in terms of the land requirements and political implications of maritime industrial development, and the redevelopment opportunities and problems of obsolete docklands. It is established that land use generally responds to changes in maritime commerce and marine technology. Stereotype models of port decline and growth are critically applied to selected Severnside ports. The thesis subsequently concentrates on behavioural and political aspects of two contrasting implications of maritime change: the development needs of bulk processing coastal industry and the redevelopment potential of inner city docklands. Recent proposals to build an oil refinery at Cliffe, in North Kent, indicate that maritime industrial sites have become a scarce planning resource. Comprehensive reappraisal of the 1972 Deep Water Sites Study suggests demand for such sites will continue, though at an uncertain level. A coast-wise survey of relevant planning policies has several possible interpretations, but generally indicates modest provision because of political and environmental constraints. This awkward balance between supply and demand emphasises planning processes and the nature of legitimisation, with scope for strategic planning initiatives to overcome procedural limitations. Five dockland redevelopment case studies show that, despite ambitious plans, implementation has been difficult and little achieved. An incremental approach is proposed to encourage local investment and immediate beneficial use of idle land. The final chapter combines several theoretical concepts. EIA provides a focus for discussion of planning processes involving maritime industrial development. Dockland redevelopment raises more practical questions, though also concerning the effectiveness of planning machinery. In conclusion, successful political and administrative adaptation to new circumstances favours an uncritically optimistic assessment of existing procedures, while functionally unjustified inertia justifies concern, and procedural as well as policy changes.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:371298 |
| Date | January 1980 |
| Creators | Clark, M. J. |
| Publisher | Cardiff University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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