Taking one for the team: Partisan alignment and planning outcomes in England

Does partisan alignment affect sub-national political units’ performance? When testing for a effect, local authority planning processes represent ‘hard case’. Formally, decision-making are insulated against considerations, and there is mis-match between national party commitments to expand house-building on the one hand, pressure councillors from residents opposing new developments other. I find that, in general, brings an increased propensity approve large residential applications. This suggests councillors’ willingness ‘take team’ by prioritising over interests. Consistent with ‘party politics of housing’ insights, inter-party variation sees altered effect left-wing constellations, which display lowered approval propensities. In addition these substantive extensions scholarship effects, insights presented into drivers outcomes contribute pressing tasks understanding addressing chronic under-supply housing within English system.