By Laura Potts, MRTPI, Planning Consultant, CAD Architects
Public consultation is at the heart of the planning process. As a leading independent planning consultancy in Cornwall, we ensure that its vital role is fully taken into account.
We have led many community consultation events recently which have been a really positive and constructive process, and this has inspired me to share some of the key things to remember about consulting with the public.
Conducting a community consultation is a crucial part of any significant planning application. UK planning laws cite the value that early community engagement can give to a planning application. If your project is smaller scale, then a consultation is still beneficial to conduct, but not a requirement. For minor planning applications, engagement may be as simple as speaking to your neighbours or contacting (and possibly presenting to) your Parish Council. For major proposals, developers must submit a Statement of Community Involvement for any application being made.
To have the best chance of securing planning permission, it is advisable for developers to conduct a consultation while there is sufficient time to make changes in response to feedback, near the beginning of the project.
In almost every instance consultations are beneficial. The benefits will vary from project to project and are dependent on the proposal, the scale of the project and whether it is contentious.
Community consultations provide developers with valuable insights into what the local public and key stakeholders think and enable them to identify potential issues at an early stage. This ultimately leads to more effective plans and a smoother pathway to planning approval.
The benefits arising from community consultation are compelling. Here are some of the key advantages of its role in the planning process:
- Public consultation makes the decision-making process accessible, allowing residents and stakeholders to understand the rationale behind proposals and it also demonstrates the developer’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
- Public consultation provides an opportunity for residents and community groups to share their local knowledge and insights, which can help identify potential issues or negative impacts, as well as help shape the design of the project.
- Feedback from the public consultation can lead to improvements and refinements in the proposed plans, overcoming any negative impacts. Establishing yourself within the community means you are alerted to any potential issues raised by locals. In doing so during the pre-planning process, you can prevent the wasting of time and resources.
- Consultation allows planners to gather input from a wide range of stakeholders, including residents, businesses and interest groups, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered and leading to an inclusive project that meets the needs of the wider community.
- Public consultation can foster a sense of community ownership and participation in the planning process, leading to greater acceptance for the final plans.
- Carrying out a professional community consultation can help protect your reputation locally, regionally, and nationally.
- The final development is more likely to be a success for the businesses or residents who are the end-users because it has been designed with their input.
At CAD Planning, we are highly experienced in running community consultations. Very often, we host a community event in-person. At such events, residents and other stakeholders are briefed on the proposed development and then given the opportunity to ask questions or fill in feedback forms. This allows for in-depth conversations with individuals, and the opportunity to answer queries and build relationships. Other avenues include digital consultation through webinars and online hubs.
Understandably, developers often feel nervous of public consultation and opening their project plans to scrutiny. However, as I hope this article reveals, community engagement can be a positive and constructive process and one that leads to better outcomes for all.
At CAD Planning, we will guide you through the full public consultation process, helping you achieve a successful planning application and a project that is welcomed by its community in due course.
Contact us on 01872 630040 or at info@cad-planning.co.uk to discuss how we can help with your own project.