Book excerpt: 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. 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.