A s the dust begins to settle on the new Government's planning reform announcements arguably the most striking element is the tone that has been adopted. The last government ebulliently espoused ‘a coherent, holistic, long-term reform programme' but regular set piece announcements and consultations presented sceptics with plenty of opportunities to question whether there was anything coherent, holistic and long-term about it.

The ‘Super Squad', for example, alongside the ‘Accelerated Planning System' and the aspiration that Barrow-in-Furness become ‘a new powerhouse for the North' are unlikely to be spoken of ever again.