<p>Despite the combined efforts of British planners politicians the public and interest groups the ‘Solent City’ stands as one of a number of instances of a peculiar instance of urban sprawl – muted and slow to emerge – yet produced paradoxically by very strong interests in promoting conservation and restraint.</p><p>This unique and valuable case study while focusing on the planning and development of South Hampshire in particular enables an in-depth study of the issues surrounding planning strategies with regards to growing populations.</p>