Planning for Leisure and Tourism



In 2001, we completed a major research project on the issues involved in planning for commercial leisure and tourism for the then Dept of Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Governmnet Department responsible for planning policy. At the time, there was considerable concern about the proliferation of out-of-town leisure complexes and the perceived negative impacts from the continuing growth of tourism. Our work, assisted by the University of Westminster and Grimleys, involved detailed analysis of the relationship of leisure development trends with the aspirations of current planning policy guidance through documentary research, surveys of public and private sectors and a series of case studies. A number of crucial recommendations were made including reinforced support for the principles of PPG6 including the sequential test for leisure developments and the presentation of the need for a new approach to planning for tourism based on broader visitor management principles.The research was published on the internet and is still accessible on the government website