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Planning PR consultants with offices in Bath and Reading
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Residential scheme in Somerset
Our client on this scheme was a major housebuilder who owned a small site to the rear of a cul de sac of low density bungalows. The client had previously had an application for 12 houses on the site refused, and subsequently been turned down at appeal. Local residents had been vocal in their opposition to the scheme, and a local ward member who also sat on the planning committee had been key in persuading fellow members to refuse the original application.
Meeting Place Communications was instructed to work with the client on a revised scheme for just 7 homes on the site. MPC started by meeting the second ward councillor, and taking his advice on how best to consult locally. We then met with the local MP, first at Westminster and twice in their constituency office with local residents present, to identify any areas of possible agreement. We wrote to over two hundred neighbouring properties advising them of our plans and inviting comments, and wrote to them again at the time of submission to advise them on the final scheme and what we had changed.
Critically, the second ward councillor, with whom we had maintained a dialogue, considered we had gone over and beyond what was required for consultation on such a small scheme. Despite public pressure, he felt able to speak at committee, advising his fellow members that we and the client had “made a genuine effort to address the concerns of objectors as far as is practicable”. The scheme was approved in March 2011.
Meeting Place Communications was instructed to work with the client on a revised scheme for just 7 homes on the site. MPC started by meeting the second ward councillor, and taking his advice on how best to consult locally. We then met with the local MP, first at Westminster and twice in their constituency office with local residents present, to identify any areas of possible agreement. We wrote to over two hundred neighbouring properties advising them of our plans and inviting comments, and wrote to them again at the time of submission to advise them on the final scheme and what we had changed.
Critically, the second ward councillor, with whom we had maintained a dialogue, considered we had gone over and beyond what was required for consultation on such a small scheme. Despite public pressure, he felt able to speak at committee, advising his fellow members that we and the client had “made a genuine effort to address the concerns of objectors as far as is practicable”. The scheme was approved in March 2011.
Hotel development
Meeting Place Communications was instructed by clients to provide political advice and engagement on a planning application for a hotel and office scheme in a major tourist city. The scheme had been promoted for 18 months. A modern design had been rejected at committee and a revised pastiche negotiated with planners. The application returned to committee and was deferred with considerable opposition from local politicians and lobby groups.
Our involvement began at this point. There had been considerable misinformation and a degree of mistrust built up around the scheme. We had two objectives: first, engage the local councillors, dispel the rumours and misinformation, respond to the councillor’s concerns and highlight the benefits. Second, rally groups in support of the proposals.
We held a number of meetings with politicians and identified a range of tourist groups who wanted to bring their clients to the city but could not find accommodation. Letters of support were achieved from a number of groups.
The application went back to committee and achieved unanimous support.
Dec 2010
Our involvement began at this point. There had been considerable misinformation and a degree of mistrust built up around the scheme. We had two objectives: first, engage the local councillors, dispel the rumours and misinformation, respond to the councillor’s concerns and highlight the benefits. Second, rally groups in support of the proposals.
We held a number of meetings with politicians and identified a range of tourist groups who wanted to bring their clients to the city but could not find accommodation. Letters of support were achieved from a number of groups.
The application went back to committee and achieved unanimous support.
Dec 2010
London Health Centre
A London based developer of health care facilities was promoting development of a disused office block to accommodate a new health centre. This scheme saw three existing small surgeries closing and consolidating their services in a new state of the art facility which could also offer additional treatments meaning some patients who has previously had to go into hospital could be treated within the community.
Meeting Place Communications (MPC) met with councillors and local residents groups at an early stage and it quickly became apparent that the two biggest concerns were the increased journey times for patients of the closing surgeries and the potential effect of an increase in traffic at the new facility affecting neighbouring business.
The journey times issues was quickly tackled with clarification of user-friendly travel routes and additional proposals for a dial-a-ride service. The concerns about traffic posed an interesting question. The developers believed that local business would benefit from increased passing trade, while one of the local councillors thought that it would become more difficult for existing customers to access the businesses.
Well aware that the councillor was likely to state their case at the planning committee the challenge fell to MPC to prove that the concern was unfounded. To do this MPC directly engaged with local businesses, many of whom had previously been unaware of the proposals. An initial phone call to business in the area was followed up by a door step discussion and finally a letter to all business managers.
The end result was that over thirty written messages of support were submitted to the council officer and highlighted to the planning committee members ahead of the decision. The perceived congestion problem had been answered due to good early research and meetings with local stakeholders followed up by direct engagement with those likely to see the benefits of the regeneration of the site. The scheme was approved at committee.
Oct 2010
Meeting Place Communications (MPC) met with councillors and local residents groups at an early stage and it quickly became apparent that the two biggest concerns were the increased journey times for patients of the closing surgeries and the potential effect of an increase in traffic at the new facility affecting neighbouring business.
The journey times issues was quickly tackled with clarification of user-friendly travel routes and additional proposals for a dial-a-ride service. The concerns about traffic posed an interesting question. The developers believed that local business would benefit from increased passing trade, while one of the local councillors thought that it would become more difficult for existing customers to access the businesses.
Well aware that the councillor was likely to state their case at the planning committee the challenge fell to MPC to prove that the concern was unfounded. To do this MPC directly engaged with local businesses, many of whom had previously been unaware of the proposals. An initial phone call to business in the area was followed up by a door step discussion and finally a letter to all business managers.
The end result was that over thirty written messages of support were submitted to the council officer and highlighted to the planning committee members ahead of the decision. The perceived congestion problem had been answered due to good early research and meetings with local stakeholders followed up by direct engagement with those likely to see the benefits of the regeneration of the site. The scheme was approved at committee.
Oct 2010
