We now discuss the development and aims of Planning Aid and its early exponents. We highlight the organisation's role (past and present) and suggest how that work remains relevant in the contemporary planning and development environment. While we argue that new and established forms and combinations of advocacy planning are needed, there is a consistent theme throughout the history of Planning Aid (as reviewed below) relating to the unease with which the planning polity has viewed advocacy – even in its more mediatory or collaborative forms. Spaces which encourage agonistic exchange are likely to face a degree of resistance from other interests as the status quo is being challenged. Institutional arrangements which destabilise a dominant urban politics can also be regarded with suspicion; particularly where time and other resources are claimed to be scarce on a practical level, and where established interest positions and assumptions are likely to come under increased scrutiny. This reflects how urban planning remains ‘a crucial site of political struggle’ (McCann, 2001: 207) and where questions of social, economic and environmental concern are confronted locally.

The political and institutional context in which Planning Aid has operated highlights the practical but fundamental issues that have dogged ‘classic’ and ‘activist’ advocacy in the UK given the way that the role and purpose of planning has been reshaped. As a product of such change ‘other better-endowed groups are already busy with advocates of their own’ (Friedmann, 1987: 300). For example, this could be private sector agents lobbying on behalf of those who can afford their services. Indeed since Friedmann's observation was made 30 years ago, the extent and proficiency of such private advocacy has developed considerably (Parker, et al, 2014; Parker et al, 2018). This is one factor that supports our view that effective advocacy for community-based interests is warranted. The need for neo-advocacy is discussed in more detail below and rejoined in Chapter Five.

Creating an advocacy planning in England (1971–86)

The unease felt by the public about the process and outcomes of modern planning had not been ignored by the planning profession but action taken to address it had generally been muted (as discussed in Chapters Two and Three).