Town and Country Planning in the Scottish Borders, 1946-1996: From Planning Backwater to the Centre of the Maelstrom

Studies continuity and change in the practice of town and country planning in the Scottish Borders, 1946-1996 Provides a comprehensive appraisal of the changing role of town and country planning within a unique area of Scotland over a fifty-year period Examines continuity and change in planning practice in the Scottish Borders Explores the relationships between planning and economic development in stimulating development in a rural region of Scotland Analyses how town and country planning in the Scottish Borders developed from a simple land use control mechanism to a dynamic, pro-active, and multi-disciplined activity The book combines scholarly analysis with a practitioner's perspective of town and country planning in Scotland at both central and local government level The Scottish Borders comprises the historic counties of Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire, Roxburghshire and Berwickshire, traditionally an area synonymous with woven cloth [tweed], knitwear and agriculture. It is also an area that suffered from rural de-population during the first half of the twentieth century. Against the background of social, economic and political change in the twentieth century, the book provides a detailed account of continuity and change in the practice of town and country planning in the Scottish Borders from the 1940s to the re-organisation of local government in 1996. It shows how town and country planning emerged from being a fringe activity in Borders local government to become a beacon for rural regeneration at the forefront of rural development policy. This book will be an essential read for all those interested in the history of town and country planning in Scotland and for those who love the Scottish Borders.