abstract: Research into public participation in local decision-making has increased over the past forty years, reflecting increased interest in the subject from academic, policy and practitioner perspectives.The same applies to community development, a values-based profession promoting a transformational agenda.During the New Labour government's period in office (1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010), public participation featured centrally in several policies
journal: IAFOR Journal of Politics Economics & Law