Prior to taking a site forward through the planning system, it is important to have a clear understanding of the local community, including its political make-up and community needs.  Engage Planning will prepare a document highlighting the key stakeholders and local issues. 

A community and political audit can also be produced as a detailed stand-alone analysis of potential sites where a greater, more in-depth understanding of the key local community issues and political make-up is required.

Public exhibitions are one of the most commonly used methods of engaging the local community in the planning system. Engage Planning manages this process from beginning to end, which includes booking venues, mailout data, invitations, text, graphic design and printing of exhibition display materials. A report is produced following each event which details the feedback received from the community.

Establishing good relationships with local councillors and wider community stakeholders is an essential part of any project.  Local councillors are elected by the community that they serve and it is important that we involve them at every stage of the development proposal.

As part of a programme of liaison, Engage Planning will approach a variety of key stakeholders from parish councils to district/borough and county councillors. Key businesses and organisations affected by the proposals will also be approached.

Steering groups are often used in conjunction with workshops and exhibitions and are usually made up of a few key representatives who will meet on a regular basis with the development team. This is particularly useful in projects which span many months or years where it is important that the community is kept fully involved and up to date as proposals progress.

Our projects can be accompanied by a website.  This can ensure that those unable to attend a consultation event can view the development proposals.  Our websites also allow residents to provide feedback on the proposals via an online form.   They are used to post updates on the project and provide a link to planning applications.

Engage Planning can also undertake a social media campaign to run alongside other consultation services.  This can facilitate feedback on development proposals.

Community workshops are an important part of pre-application consultation. They allow local representatives and community members to discuss the proposals in depth with members of the development team, drawing on local knowledge to produce plans that will best serve the existing and new communities. Engage Planning will organise and facilitate these events and produce a detailed report of all the issues and ideas discussed.

We liaise with the local media to publicise our consultation events. We also issue press releases and arrange press briefings where appropriate.

We commission independent market research in order to gauge opinion towards future development and to gain a deeper understanding of an area and its needs. This is a very useful tool in reaching a wide demographic.

We provide a full suite of high quality graphic design work including exhibition display material, leaflets, feedback forms and project brochures.

Many companies continue to invest in local communities once planning is complete and building is under way. This can include community events, groups and additional facilities. Often this is in connection with a Section 106 arrangement. Engage Planning offer a range of assistance in conjunction with this.