ABSTRACT
Having looked at the relationship between religion, gender, cities and planning in the various chapters, this chapter discusses the specific problems that confront faith groups in dealing with the UK planning system with particular reference to Pentecostal churches as an example, although many of the observations could be applied to any faith group experiencing problems with the planners. First the lack of policy guidance or direction at national level is outlined. Then the inconsistencies and inadequacy of planning law in regard to religious development is outlined. The implications of this lacuna are discussed in relation to the economic, social, spatial and environmental factors. A case study is provided of the difficulties that the KICC mega church has experienced from the planners, in trying to accommodate their enormous and diverse congregation in London. In order to help ameliorate the situation in the future, the last section, a ‘Toolkit’, is presented, comprising a list of questions that planning authorities need to ask themselves in order to raise their consciousness of religious issues, and to enable them to plan with greater understanding and awareness of the spatial needs of faith groups of all sorts.
