English planning reform is a highly politicised process involving diverse bodies seeking to influence the direction of future national policy. Drawing on a conceptualization of multi-scalar metagovernance ‘in the shadow of hierarchy’, this article provides insights into how external bodies seek to influence policy reform. The article also examines the flip-side, that is how policy-makers view the efforts of external bodies to influence national planning reforms. The findings reveal how the rhetoric of opening up government and reducing central direction in favour of local discretion collided with the reality of retaining strong central direction and privileging developer interests.