A central theme in both current theoretical debate within planning and policy statements by the British Government is the perceived need for enhanced public involvement. Implicit in these concerns is the assumption that the existing structures of local governance should be modified. Government in the form of politicians and their paid staff acting on behalf of the wider community is increasingly conceptualized as unrealistic, ineffective and out-moded. Consequently, terms such as 'decentralization', 'community empowerment', 'collaboration' and 'public participation' have become the phrases of the moment. There is considerable ambiguity surrounding these terms but at their core lies the notion that those outside the town hall should be given more influence over local decision making. The parallels between New Labour's rhetoric about community empowerment and normative theorizing in planning which stresses the importance of open inclusionary dialogue is striking. Much of the existing literature concerning p...