Any day now a new Planning Bill will receive the Royal Assent.

Commons rebellions have been quelled; Lords opposition has evaporated and economic and financial woes have wiped it off the newspaper headlines. But, in the real world, this imminent piece of legislation may have more impact upon our towns and villages than most recent laws. And, in this topsy-turvy world, it ironically emerges that the bigger the project the smaller the influence communities can have on whether or not it happens.

Policy-makers have an uncomfortable dilemma, for the public need does not always equate with public opinion. Trying to insulate politicians from difficult decisions has led to the development of a new beast – the Infrastructure Planning Commission whose National Policy Statements will, by statute have to be subject to consultation.