Do House Values Influence Resistance to Development?-A Spatial Analysis of Planning Objection and Appeals in Melbourne

• Published in: Urban policy and research 2013-03, Vol.31 (1), p.5-26
• Main Author: Taylor, Elizabeth Jean
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Dispute resolution; exclusionary zoning; Home ownership; Housing; Housing market; Local government; locational conflict; Markets; Melbourne; Melbourne: Buildings; Planning systems; Prices; Property development; Socioeconomic factors; Spatial analysis; Third-party intervention; Third-party objection and appeal; Town planning; U.S.A; Urban communities; Urban consolidation; Victoria
• ISSN: 0811-1146; 1476-7244
• DOI: 10.1080/08111146.2012.757735

Critical perspectives, largely in American literature, point to the historical influence of affluent homeowners on planning and argue that because of its role in housing markets, planning can reflect and reinforce patterns of socio-economic difference. Although institutional contexts vary, the article hypothesises that similar patterns may be evident in Victoria, where an important facet of the planning system is that third-party objection and appeal rights (TPOAR) in planning are comparatively strong. The author uses planning application and tribunal data for local governments to model spatial and temporal variations in rates of planning objection and appeal, in relation to measures of housing prices and socio-economic advantage. Objection and appeal is found to be more likely in relation to higher density housing, but much more likely again where existing housing values are higher. There is evidence that communities with greater economic interests in, and resources to engage with, the planning system make disproportionate use of opposition channels.