18 APRIL 1970, Page 19

Shorter notice

City Fathers: The Early History of Town Planning in Britain Colin and Rose Bell (Barrie and Rocldiff/The Cresset Press 70s). This is an attempt to provide an introductory survey of the history of British town plan- ning from the earliest Romano-British towns up to the years immediately prior to the birth of the Garden City movement. Within its terms of reference it is to be welcomed. The authors have chosen several httle-known places for their study, including MidcHesbrough, Barrow-in-Furness, Trem- adoc and Crewe. These towns have not re- ceived the attentions they deserve from other writers, and City Fathers is a good start. in the filling of a gap in the literature of nineteenth century planning.