Planning for a diverse society? A review of the UK government's Planning Policy Guidance

Abstract

The assessment of how policies impact differentially upon different groups within society has become an increasingly important feature of public policy. The paper presents the results of the application of a diversity proofing template to the UK Government's Planning Policy Guidance series. The template and approach are modified ones based on a series of similar techniques in other policy fields. The results of the exercise demonstrate the highly variable consideration given across the series to the different and specific needs of women and men, ethnic minorities, disabled people, older people, and children and young people. The paper suggests that the series could be significantly improved to respond to the realities of social diversity in modern Britain and advises on how the planning system can actively cater for such diversity.