Private Politics in the Garden of England

Abstract

This article analyses an atypical case of anti-wind farm contention at Marden in south-east England.Anti-wind farm campaigns have typically sought to resist developments through planning i stitutio s. Though fo usi g o pla i g, the Ma de ase su essfull pu sued a p i ate politi s strategy, pressuring businesses (e.g. developer, investors and landowner) to withdraw their support and commitment. Drawing on 10 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, and extensive do u e ta a al sis, this a ti le des i es a d e plai s this at pi al ase. It a gues that Ma de s p i ate politi s i ol ed st ategi f a i g that alig ed ith usi esses lai s to corporate social and environmental responsibility. Though directly persuading companies on these terms failed, he the a paig e t pu li , e o o i a to s ithd e suppo t. Ma de s t aje to a d outcome are explained via resources and context particular to the case, and the potential reputational damage associated with its framing strategy. The article ends by noting interesting relationships and parallels between private politics and state focused local contention.