Abstract/Summary

This report draws on data collected through a survey questionnaire sent to all Civic Voice member societies with the aim of better understanding the contemporary role that civic societies play in the English planning system. We explore this using a research framework involving four aspects. The first seeks to understand civic societies’ role in relation to place-making more broadly; the second seeks to understand civic society’s role in the planning system; the third section seeks to understand the civic society’s role with regard to the wider community and the fourth and final section probes civic society’s own reflections on their future. The overall conclusions and implications for policy address the variable relationship between civic societies and Local Planning Authorities, the future challenges that societies face and the possibilities for improving how societies are engaged in a future, reformed planning system.