Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) are stated to be a vital tool in ensuring that planning decisions are fair, inclusive and equitable by identifying potential negative impacts and ensure that steps are taken to mitigate them.
The purpose of such assessments is to increase the promotion of transparency and accountability in the planning process. Therefore, conducting such work helps to build trust and confidence in the planning process, particularly among marginalised and disadvantaged communities (protected characteristics). Urban environments home communities who have valuable knowledge and experience of places, which provides an important contribution to guiding development. However, this is arguably not nurtured to the degree it should be or representative enough in consultation processes and Statements of Community Involvement. To highlight the planning system as being for the public interest, I am currently in the process of gathering date to highlight the importance of EIAs in being mandatory to planning applications.
By taking part in this study, you will be contributing to the production of valuable information which will be to continue the narrowing of important questions which should be covered in a renewed EIA template. This will be an adaptable document which can be applied to policies and schemes across various sectors.
Since the enactment of the Equality Act, the planning system has evolved significantly, meaning that a renewed EIA is necessary to ensure that the planning systems is still meeting the needs of all members of society. Therefore, I would like to invite you to the contribution and engagement of this research.
By completing this questionnaire, you will be giving me (as the researcher) permission to use your date. Answers and personal details you give will be protected under the Date Protection Act (1998), stored safely for the researcher's eyes only until interpreted into visual date presentation in the EIA research document. All answers given are anonymous.
Offensive language or behaviour expressed in this questionnaire will not be tolerated. Your response WILL NOT be counted if you use offensive language which goes against the objective of this study.
If you have any further queries regarding the study's objectives or have any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at:
sophie@njlconsulting.co.uk
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
