Rural planning has become a complex activity in which policies in one area have important ramifications in other policy areas. In addition these policies have been subject to rapid change in recent years. It is thus very important for all those involved in rural planning affairs to remain not only up to date, but to place recent developments in a longer perspective. This new series aims to answer all these needs by providing an accurate and informed account of recent developments in North American, British and European rural policy and critiques of policy implementation and its impacts from new material an from analyses of published research findings. The second volume in the series covers the last few years of the John major administration until the election of the Tony Blair government in May 1997. It is divided into six chapters: Overview of changes affecting all rural planning activities; The environment; Town and country planning; Extensive land uses; Nature conservation and recreation; and social and economic issues. The next British volume will cover the entire period of the current government, with successive volumes covering each new government as it unfolds.

Ian Rothmann is Professor of Industrial Psychology at the North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Cary Cooper is Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health and Pro Vice Chancellor for External Relations at the University of Lancaster.