Dr Neil Harris

Senior Lecturer in Statutory Planning

: Media commentator
: Available for postgraduate supervision

My research explores the policies and instruments that planners use. I am especially interested in the formal and statutory aspects of planning systems.

I teach on several modules on our professionally-accredited planning programmes.

I am a Chartered Town Planner and an active member of The Royal Town Planning Institute.

Date
Type

2024

McVicar, M., Turnbull, N., Harris, N., Heslop, I. and Soleman, M. 2024. Community engagement in local development plans. Project Report. Cardiff: Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University.
Khan, M., Harris, N. and Smith, T. 2024. Planning for children’s play in Wales. Scottish Planner(198), pp. 14-14.

2015

Harris, N. 2015. The use of surveillance technologies in planning enforcement. Planning Practice and Research 30(5), pp. 528-547. (10.1080/02697459.2015.1076133)
Harris, N. R., Biddulph, M. J., Thomas, A. H., Sartorio, F. and Frank, A. I. 2015. Horizon scanning: future trends and the skills needed to deliver the planning system in Wales. Project Report. Cardiff: Cardiff University.

2014

Biddulph, M. J., Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2014. DAS ist not always so good. Town & Country Planning 2014(2), pp. 84-84.
Biddulph, M. J., Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2014. Review of design and access statements in Wales. Project Report. [Online]. Welsh Government. Available at: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/desh/research/131129das-research-final-report-en.pdf
, . Silva, E. A. et al. eds. 2014. The Routledge handbook of planning research methods. New York, NY: Routledge.
Silva, E. A., Healey, P., Harris, N. R. and Van den Broek, P. 2014. The craft of 'doing research' in spatial and regional planning. In: The Routledge Handbook of Planning Reserch Methods. New York, NY: Routledge, pp. xxiv-xlii.
Harris, N. R. 2014. 'Make no little plans': planning in Wales 1945-1996. Cynllunio 2014(Summer), pp. 8-10.
Harris, N. R. 2014. Shifting between academia and practice: reflections on doing planning research in a university environment. In: de Silva, d. S. E. et al. eds. The Routledge Handbook of Planning Research. Routledge, pp. 12-17.

2013

Harris, N. R. 2013. Surveillance, social control and planning: citizen engagement in the detection and investigation of breaches of planning control. Town Planning Review 84(2), pp. 171-196. (10.3828/tpr.2013.11)

2012

Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Sartorio, F. 2012. A new approach to managing development: towards a Welsh Planning Act. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Crown Copyright. Available at: http://gov.wales/topics/planning/planningresearch/publishedresearch/anewapproach/?lang=en

2011

Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2011. Clients, customers and consumers: a framework for exploring the user-experience of the planning service. Planning Theory & Practice 12(2), pp. 249-268. (10.1080/14649357.2011.580157)
Harris, N. R. 2011. Discipline, surveillance, control: a foucaultian perspective on the enforcement of planning regulations. Planning Theory & Practice 12(1), pp. 57-76. (10.1080/14649357.2011.545631)

2010

Harris, N. R. 2010. European spatial research and planning [Book Review]. International Planning Studies 15(1), pp. 73-75. (10.1080/13563471003736985)
Harris, N. R. 2010. Discretion and expediency in the enforcement of planning controls. Town Planning Review 81(6), pp. 675-700. (10.3828/tpr.2010.26)

2009

Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2009. Making Wales: spatial strategy making in a devolved context. In: Davoudi, S. and Strange, I. eds. Conceptions of Space and Place in Strategic Spatial Planning. RTPI Library Series Vol. 17. London: Routledge, pp. 43-69.
Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Scarfi, A. 2009. Small businesses and the planning system in Wales. Report to the Federation of Small Businesses. Stage 2: Review of national and local planning policies. Project Report. Cardiff: Federation of Small Businesses.

2008

Harris, N. R., Thomas, A. H. and Scarfi, A. 2008. Small businesses and.the planning system in Wales. Report to the Federation of Small Businesses. Stage 1: small businesses’ costs and experiences of applying forplanning permissionand related consents.. Cardiff: Federation of Small Businesses. Available at: http://www.fsb.org.uk/policy/rpu/wales/images/fsb%20planning%20english.pdf

2006

Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Regional development and spatial planning in an enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Reviewing experience of regional development and spatial planning in Europe. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 265-275.
Harris, N. R. and Hooper, A. J. 2006. Redefining 'the space that is Wales': place, planning and the Wales spatial plan. In: Tewdwr-Jones, M. and Allmendinger, P. eds. Territory, Identity and Spatial Planning: Spatial governance in a Fragmented Nation. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 139-152.
Harris, N. R. 2006. Increasing and spreading prosperity: regional development, spatial planning and the enduring 'prosperity gap' in Wales. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 87-106.
Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. 2006. Introduction: regional development and spatial planning in an enlarged European Union. In: Adams, N., Alden, J. D. and Harris, N. R. eds. Regional Development and Spatial Planning in an Enlarged European Union. Urban and Regional Planning and Development Series Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 3-15.

2005

Adams, N. and Harris, N. R. 2005. Best Practice Guidelines for Regional Development Strategies. Project Report. [Online]. Cardiff: Cardiff University. Available at: http://www.espon-interstrat.eu/library_details.php?idnews=46&powrot=library_new.php

2004

Harris, N. R. and Hooper, A. J. 2004. Rediscovering the "Spatial" in public policy and planning; an examination of the spatial content of sectoral policy documents. Planning Theory & Practice 5(2), pp. 147-169. (10.1080/14649350410001691736)
Booth, C., Batty, E., Gilroy, R., Dargan, L., Thomas, H., Harris, N. R. and Imrie, R. 2004. Planning and Diversity: Research into Policies and Procedures. Project Report. [Online]. London: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. Available at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/148175.pdf
Harris, N. R. and Thomas, A. H. 2004. Planning for a diverse society? A review of the UK Governments Planning Policy Guidance. Town Planning Review 75(4), pp. 473-500.
Harris, N. R. 2004. Experiential learning in built environment education [Editorial]. Cebe Transactions 1(1), pp. 3-7.

2002

Harris, N. R., Bishop, K. D. and Hooper, A. J. 2002. Constructing the practice of "Spatial Planning": a national spatial planning framework for Wales. Environment and Planning C Government and Policy 20(4), pp. 555-572. (10.1068/c17m)

2001

Harris, N. R. 2001. Planning Policy, Policy Guidance, and Technical Advice: a review and analysis of the Technical Advice Notes (Wales) Series. Town Planning Review 72(4), pp. 393-422.
Harris, N. R. 2001. Collaborative planning: from theoretical foundations to practice forms. In: Allmendinger, P. and Tewdwr-Jones, M. eds. Planning Futures: New Directions in Planning Theory. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 21-43.

2000

Harris, N. R. 2000. Practice through a lens: a metaphor for planning theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research 19(3), pp. 309-315. (10.1177/0739456X0001900310)
Crow, S. and Harris, N. R. 2000. Outline planning applications and permissions: the refurbishment of time-worn practice?. Journal of Planning and Environment Law(3), pp. 246-259.
Crow, S., Harris, N. R., Thomas, H. and Yewlett, C. 2000. Fitness for Purpose: The Quality in Development Plans: A Guide to Good Practice. Project Report. [Online]. London: Royal Town Planning Institute. Available at: https://secure.rtpi.org.uk/download/647/Fitness-for-Purpose.pdf

1999

Harris, N. R. 1999. 'Working Away From Home': Philosophical Understanding in the Development of Planning Theory. Journal of Planning Education and Research 19(1), pp. 93-97. (10.1177/0739456X9901900109)

My research interests focus on planning theory and professional planning practice. I enjoy projects that have both a theoretical and practical element.

My current and recent research falls into three main areas:

Enforcement of planning regulations - I work on both theoretical and practical aspects of planning enforcement and how planners react 'when the rules are broken'. I have principally written on planning enforcement using a Foucauldian lens, addressing issues of surveillance and compliance.

Exceptions to planning rules - I am examining how planners design and interpret rules, including when these rules allow for exceptions to be made. I have explored this in relation to One Planet Development in Wales. I have also started to devise a framework for systematically examining rules in planning policy. I am designing a project looking at other exceptions to policy rules that restrict new housing in the countryside in the United Kingdom, including buildings of exceptional architectural quality.

Planning reforms in Wales - I also engage in research and consultancy work, including with partner organisations, focused on changes to the planning system in Wales. This includes national spatial planning frameworks, affordable housing, delivery of housing land, and measuring the outcomes of planning.

I teach on a series of undergraduate modules at each stage of our accredited planning courses.

I am module leader for modules on property development and regeneration, planning law and practice, and planning theory. I also contribute to introductory modules on urban planning.

I currently act or have previously acted as external examiner on planning courses at Queen's University Belfast, University of Glasgow, University of West of England, Liverpool University, and London South Bank University.

I started my academic career at Cardiff University with my thesis research on critical planning theory and planners' management of infornation within planning processes. This was inspired by North American planning academic's writing on 'what planners do'. I secured my first full-time lecturer role at Cardiff University in 1999. I have continued to research and teach in the School. My research continues to focus on the everyday tools and practices of professional planners.

I try in all of my work to link academic ideas with practical and professional concerns. I have worked closely with Welsh Government and the Welsh Parliament on a series of projects linked to planning reform. This includes giving evidence to and supporting the work of the Senedd's Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee.

My formal academic qualifications include:

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Wales (2002)
Diploma in Social Science Research Methods, Cardiff University (1997)
Diploma in Town Planning awarded with Distinction, Cardiff University (1996)
BSc City and Regional Planning awarded with First Class Honours, Cardiff University (1994)

Honours and awards

I was awarded the Royal Town Planning Institute's Outstanding Service Award in 2018.

Professional memberships

I am a Chartered Town Planner and an active member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

Academic positions

Associate Dean - Assessment and Feedback, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Cardiff University (2015-2020)
Senior Lecturer, School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University, (2007-present)
Lecturer, School of City and Regional Planning, Cardiff University, (1999 - 2007)

Committees and reviewing

I regularly act as a reviewer for a series of academic journals in planning, including Town Planning Review and Planning Theory and Practice.

I have been a member of the judging panel in the Royal Town Planning Institute's Research Excellence Awards (2019 and 2020).

I am especially interested in supervising PhD research in the following areas:

planning regulation and control
planning enforcement
planning theory
spatial planning strategies

I am currently supervising PhD research on the development of 'white land' in Saudi Arabia (Mohammed Alsulaiman), and the evolution of legislation on the consenting of nationally-significant infrastructure (Richard Rees).

I have examined PhD theses at University of Sheffield, Ulster University, and KU Leuven.

Contact Details

HarrisNR@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29208 76222
Glamorgan Building, Room Room 2.90, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA

Dr Neil Harris

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