The common assumption is that the planning systems of Peninsular Malaysia and England follow a common tradition in practice in light of their earlier colonial relationship, the application of planning legislation, principles and methodology. It follows that development control as a tool of planning is identical. Within this awareness, this study aims to firstly, explain the parallels and differences of development control in the context of legislation, policies and plans, planning administration and practice. Secondly, it seeks to evaluate to a limited extent, the efficiency and effectiveness of each system on the result of case studyes. Finally, as a concluding perspective it ventures into the potentiality of cross-national learning. The contents of the dissertation are organised into six chapters. The first chapter provides the background for the study. The second and third chapters outline the pertinent framework which essentially underpin the basis for legitimating development control. These include a perspective on legislation, plans and policies and the structure of the administration of planning and control. The fourth chapter examines more closely the practice of development control in both systems. The result of a survey on planning officers' perceptions in Johor Bahru and Doncaster pertaining to the efficiency and effectiveness of the system are presented in chapter five. The final chapter summarises the findings within the scope of the study and highlights the pertinent aspects for which cross learning can be considered. It can be concluded that the parallels are largely with regard to principles and general methodology, and some control issues. However, there are also many differences especially in the institutional context, the emphasis and scope of control in practice. The distortions especially in the institutional arrangements and level of resources made comparison and evaluation difficult.