Above: The importance of involving
the local community in planning
and construction projects cannot
be underestimated; doubts can be
answered professionaly and ideas
can be shared to benefit everyone
OPINION RESEARCH CAMPAIGNS
This is a more quantitative method of researching the
views of the public towards a proposal. It is particularly
useful in gauging the level of support within a community
to a development, or if a large project requires a very
wide area to be consulted.
E-CONSULTATION
This is fast becoming an important way of engaging a
community and is no longer just an ‘add-on’. An informative
and engaging website enabling the ‘time-poor’ to
participate in consultation helps to widen local engagement
beyond the ‘usual suspects’.
CASE STUDY: MAJOR REGENERATION SCHEME IN EAST LONDON
Over six months of consultation, three large
exhibitions were held. The first was held on the site.
Although this had a good turnout, it was not as large
as could be expected for proposals of this scale. The
site itself was separated from the main urban centre.
Therefore, the second and third exhibitions were held
in a venue on the main high street of the town. This
resulted in over five times the number of attendees,
including many people coming straight in off the street
having known nothing about the plans or the exhibition.
It also resulted in a very wide range of opinions and
ideas expressed in feedback.
The consultation programme enabled the project
team to learn of the local community’s aspirations for
the site and what they felt they could ‘get out of it’. As a
For more information:
Contact Gabriel Abulafia, Director at Green Issues
Communications by emaill: post@greenissues.com or
visit greenissues.com for regional telephone numbers
CONSULTATION
result of this feedback changes were made to the plans
which created amenities to be enjoyed by people living
outside the site as well as new residents in the new
development. In this way, the consultation helped to gain
greater local legitimacy for the developer’s proposals
resulting in a unanimous approval at planning committee.
FEEDBACK IS ESSENTIAL
It is always important to let people know how their input
has been fed into the proposals.
Most reasonable people expect to be listened to
regardless of whether their views result in any action. They
understand that not all opinions can be included.
To sum up, the pressure for development in London
and the South East is resulting in increasing concern
within communities about the changes taking place
in their area. The solution is to inform communities of
development proposals at an early stage and to take them
with you throughout the planning process. Most people
appreciate their views being sought and will be prepared
to engage constructively. Harnessing the engagement of
local people in this way produces benefits for everyone
– empowering residents over the future shape of their
community, minimising pressure on local politicians and
speedier planning permissions for developers.
www.estatesreview.com 81
MANAGEMENT
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