The Value of Community Consultation and Engagement
Posted on Dec 11, 2025I am pleased to share the successful completion of a community engagement programme commissioned by a local council to support the redevelopment of under-used land in a town centre. The project aimed to ensure that local residents and stakeholders, including school aged children in particular, had the opportunity to view, understand and provide feedback on the proposed designs.
Consultation and Engagement in action
Working in collaboration with Acer Marketing Communications, the work involved the creation of a comprehensive engagement plan and stakeholder mapping to identify and involve key groups during the process. A series of consultation and engagement events were delivered, featuring a marquee and display boards where the local community could view the proposed designs and speak directly with the project team. These events were extensively promoted through a leaflet delivered to households within a 0.25 mile radius of the development site, advertisement in local magazine, press release in regional newspaper, posters in local shops, and social media. In addition, online surveys provided a convenient way for residents to share their views, and school age children were directly engaged through school visits and use of school ambassadors.
All feedback and findings were compiled into a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Report, which will enable the council to confidently move forward with a planning application for the site. This collaborative approach ensured the community’s voice was heard and incorporated into the development designs from the outset.
This project, one of a number I have worked on for the council, highlights the importance of proactive engagement and demonstrates how thoughtful consultation can support sustainable and well-informed co-production for local developments.
Let’s explore
If you’re interested in arranging consultation events, let’s talk.