Bellway Homes sought to submit Section 73 applications with regard to a mixed-use development in the London Borough of Greenwich. The original consent had been given in 2013 and Bellway had taken over the scheme from another developer in 2016, with the intention of building out the final phase. The Section 73 applications sought to change the design of the new homes in the final phase, and increase their number.

Challenge

Since the original consent in 2013, the scheme had already increased in size once, stretching the patience of councillors. In addition, access to the scheme ran through residential streets and over recent years residents had been aggrieved by construction traffic in the area during the build out.  There was a real risk that residents opposed to the scheme because of these traffic issues would use the Section 73 applications as an opportunity to voice their opposition to councillors, potentially derailing the progress of the development.

Solution

• SP Broadway invited residents to attend a Community Liaison Group, where construction, access, and other issues could be raised and resolved. Around 40 residents attended the meeting, chaired by SP Broadway, and a number of issues were addressed, taking the heat out of the situation. It was agreed to hold the meetings quarterly, until the construction of the final phase was completed.

• We created and maintained a project website, containing up-to-date information on the Section 73 applications, to keep residents updated after the meeting.

• We responded to all resident queries in the run-up to determination of the planning applications, ensuring that all issues raised were managed and not directed at councillors.

• We wrote to all Planning Committee members before determination dates, clearly setting out how the Section 73 applications would improve the scheme, and deliver more affordable homes.

Result

The first application, an uplift of 16 homes, was unanimously consented. The second application, for a further uplift of 10 homes, was consented by 10 votes to 1.

The post Post consent amendments and resident liaison appeared first on SP Broadway.

Our client was seeking to replace a tired shopping precinct in Botley just outside Oxford, providing new retail space, apartments, student rooms, a hotel, new community centre, church and library.

Challenge

A previous application for the site attracted more than 1,000 objections and was unanimously refused at planning committee in 2014.  The group that led the opposition remained active in the community and based much of its campaign on opposition to student accommodation in Botley.  All of Botley’s elected representatives opposed the 2014 scheme.

Solution

• We undertook a comprehensive political and community survey, which concluded that community buy-in was essential to building support for a new application. Our survey showed that political stakeholders would only positively consider the application if a community role in the plan-making process could be demonstrated.

• We designed and implemented a comprehensive programme of community engagement. By emphasising our client’s commitment to meaningful engagement, and showing that the consultation would be transparent, we secured the participation of Botley’s elected representatives and the opposition group.

• Their participation enabled us to deliver a successful consultation programme, which included the setting up of a Community Liaison Group and the holding of series of community workshops. This consultation enabled us to undertake community engagement at each stage of the plan-making process, and to demonstrate how changes to the scheme, including a reduction in student rooms, were the result of consultation feedback.

• The consultation programme concluded with a two-day public exhibition. Feedback from the exhibition showed that a clear majority of respondents welcomed changes to the scheme as a result of the consultation.

• We kept the media updated on the emerging proposals, securing positive coverage of changes to the scheme resulting from the consultation.

• We highlighted the community participation, positive public exhibition feedback and the positive media coverage to the Council leadership.

Result

Vale of White Horse District Council approved the application by 8 votes to 3. At the Planning Committee meeting objectors and Committee members commended the quality of the consultation undertaken.

The post Mixed-use redevelopment appeared first on SP Broadway.

Our client sought to submit a reserved matters application with regard to a 130-home development for land in Chertsey, in the Surrey Borough of Runnymede. The outline application had been consented.

Challenge

The access for the consented outline scheme ran through a residential street. There was a real risk that residents opposed to the scheme because of this access would use the reserved matters application as an opportunity to voice their opposition to councillors on access grounds, potentially derailing the progress of the development.

Solution

• SP Broadway wrote to residents around the site to notify them of the reserved matters application. This letter stressed that the access had been approved and would not be reconsidered. It also highlighted the high quality design of the new homes, and provided SP Broadway’s contact details in case residents had any questions.

• We created and maintained a project website, containing up-to-date information on the reserved matters application. The website address was highlighted in the notification letter to residents, providing them with a source of extra information if they required it.

• We responded to all resident queries in the run-up to the determination of the planning application, ensuring that all issues raised were managed and not directed at councillors.

• We wrote to all Planning Committee members before the determination date, clearly setting out how the reserved matters application conformed to the outline consent given.

Result

The reserved matters application was considered by Runnymede Borough Council Planning Committee. With resident opposition addressed through intensive consultation, and the merits of the scheme established in members’ minds, the Committee approved the application.

The post 130 homes appeared first on SP Broadway.

A well-established university in London sought to gain planning consent for a comprehensive regeneration of its campus. SP Broadway was instructed to provide political, community and media communications to secure this planning consent.

Challenge

As an established institution in the area, it was important our client gained consent in a way that maintained and enhanced its standing within the local community. The site, in an area with a number of strong residents’ associations, was controversial with residents concerned the development would further increase the already substantial queues into the university’s car park and further concerns over the design of the regenerated buildings.

Solution

• A series of Community Liaison Groups were organised, enabling key members of the community and local politicians to discuss the proposals in an open and honest environment, encouraging support from within the local community.

• A public exhibition was held over two days to introduce the proposals to residents first hand. A feedback questionnaire was also prepared for the exhibition which allowed valuable information about residents’ views to be gathered, identified areas of concern and provided valuable statistics: with 59% of respondents commenting positively on the proposals.

• In the run-up to the planning committee’s decision, we sent a letter to each member of the committee highlighting the benefits of the development for the university and for Ealing, and listing the changes made to the scheme following consultation with the community.

Result

Ealing Council Planning Committee unanimously voted to approve the application.

After further consultation, including another meeting of the Community Liaison Group and a second public exhibition, an application for an additional new university building was submitted to Ealing Council and consented.

SP Broadway was retained as communications adviser during the construction process.  The refurbishment is now complete.

The post Campus refurbishment appeared first on SP Broadway.

SP Broadway filled a Neighbourhood Liaison Officer role as part of the planning condition for the redevelopment of Abell House and Cleland House, Westminster SW1 during demolition and construction works.

Challenge

Liaising with a large number (446) of stakeholder residents from neighbouring buildings during the demolition and construction of two residential apartment buildings.

Solution

• Acted as a 24/7 single point of contact for external queries – filtering all resident queries to our client. This single point of contact is advertised on the Abell and Cleland House website.

• Managed the distribution of a weekly e-newsletter to all residents outlining the demolition/construction timetable for the forthcoming week. This advance notice of noise, dust and disruption is designed to keep complaints to a minimum and was well received to date, reducing the volume of telephone calls received by the client.

• Co-ordinated and managed a monthly Community Working Group Meeting (CWG) to provide a Steering Group mechanism for key residents and other interested parties during the demolition and construction process. Agendas were circulated by SP Broadway in advance and Minutes were hosted on the project website.

• Managed a tri-monthly Community Liaison Group (CLG) to provide a liaison mechanism for local residents and other interested parties who were less interested in project detail but still wanted to be kept informed of key project milestones. Agendas were circulated by SP Broadway in advance and Minutes were hosted on the project website.

• Organised and attended additional meetings with residents and stakeholders as particular issues developed.

• Managed key community and project team contact databases.

Result

The development has finished. Residents were kept well-informed and the client was happy.

The post 275 apartments appeared first on SP Broadway.