Argues that the new planning system brought in by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, based on the fundamental principles of speeding up planning and real and meaningful community involvement, can work if all the key players make use of the processes that have been put in place to make it work. Describes the underlying principles of the new system as set out in "Planning Policy Statement 1: delivering sustainable development" and lists the key organisational players from the ODPM to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). Looks at the capability of planning authorities to cope with the challenges of the new system and to improve their performance in determining planning applications and PINS ability to deal with more appeals. Examines the regional spatial strategies that will form part of statutory development plans. Concludes with a pointer to developments in e-government, which should radically improve public understanding of the planning system.