Considers the sustainability appraisal agenda, a major feature of the reformed planning system, which aims to embed the principles of sustainable development into the policy preparation process. Discusses the increasing gap between those in government overseeing the agenda and those local government planners who are implementing it. Comments that most sustainable appraisal reports to date have been larger than the plans that they appraise. Government even suggests that local authorities should seek legal advice before publishing their appraisal reports for fear of legal challenge. Concludes that the time-consuming sustainability appraisal process is the antithesis of what the reformed planning system sets out to achieve. Appended is a review by Sean Nicholson of the ODPM's final draft of guidance on sustainability appraisal of regional spatial strategies and local development documents.