This article examines the relationship between gender representation in planning authorities and the inclusivity of urban policies, using Newcastle upon Tyne, a rare case of a female-dominated city planning department, as a critical case study. Drawing on feminist urban theory, this research employs a three-phase methodology, a policy review, participatory workshops and expert interviews, investigating how gender identity shapes urban experiences and whether increased female representation at decision-making levels translates into gender-responsive planning outcomes. The findings suggest that, despite shifts in gender composition at leadership levels, institutionalised planning frameworks may still reproduce gendered biases, underscoring the need for structural policy reforms.