Engaging Local Communities
How we are addressing this issue:
We believe that our approach to sustainability, and our commitment to stakeholder engagement enables faster planning permissions and better designed schemes that meet the aspirations of the local community.
Our Land and Planning Committee has updated our Community Engagement Strategy during the year to reflect Vision2020 and the objectives of the Coalition Government's localism policies. The strategy provides guidance on pre-planning application engagement to help us to enter into a valuable dialogue with locals who are likely to be affected by our developments. Through measures such as community meetings and planning weekends, we believe this allows our projects to be better designed, to better contribute to local communities and to make a smooth transition through the planning process.
We have many examples of where pro-active dialogue has helped to deliver schemes which have supported local communities. For example, at our planned development at West Kent Cold Store, we attended monthly West Kent Cold Store Community Forum meetings involving all key local stakeholders, as well as holding numerous one-to-one meetings with neighbours, residents' associations, ward and parish councillors. This year-long exercise resulted in a better local understanding of the scheme and allowed us to identify and address the key issues that the local community had. Trust was established and we were able to turn long term objectors to supporters. The overwhelming community support for the improved scheme was key in obtaining planning consent.
Our performance:
In 2010/11:
- 100% of our schemes over 500 units that were submitted to planning underwent consultation with the community using our best practice guidelines or demonstrated exemplary community consultation.
Our Vision2020 commitments and ambitions:
As part of delivering Vision2020 we have set specific objectives for continuing to ensure that we engage with communities.
Our commitment from May 2011:
- Apply Berkeley's Community Engagement Strategy on all planning applications over 500 units
Our ambition from May 2012:
- Demonstrate the ability to involve every age group, including young people and working professionals, in debating and supporting plans for new development
Case study:
Community engagement at Fulham Reach
Following the purchase of our Fulham Reach development in November 2010, we organised a community planning week which was widely publicised through local media, letters and banners on site. This was followed by in-depth workshops with groups exploring different aspects of the development. The local primary school was also invited to take part with children contributing their ideas for the site.
This process led to a number of changes to the project design to ensure that the community is able to derive the maximum possible benefits from the development.
Community engagement at Queen Mary's Place
Prior to submission, extensive pre-application consultations were carried out to gain the opinions of local stakeholders of the proposals to renovate Grade I listed Roehampton House and re-develop the former Queen Mary's Hospital site. A number of different stakeholders were consulted including local residents, the Putney Society, The Roehampton Quadrant Residents Society, the Roehampton Forum, local ward Councillors, English Heritage and the local MP. The consultations took a number of different formats including leaflets, presentations, exhibitions and the construction of a website, all aimed at providing the relevant information regarding the proposals and seeking to explain and address any potential concerns.
In response, St James considered issues raised and refined the proposals where possible to address concerns, for example;
- The total number of units was reduced
- Specific overlooking issues were addressed
- A comprehensive Green Travel plan was included to encourage sustainable modes of travel
Following the above amendments, a Planning Application and Listed Buildings Consent Application was submitted to Wandsworth Borough Council. Shortly afterwards the same extensive consultation process was repeated to seek further views. As a result St James made a legal commitment to Wandsworth Borough Council to ensure the proposed pedestrian and cycle access routes were not opened to vehicles in the future. Despite being an extremely sensitive site, St James secured a resolution to grant detailed planning and listed building consent within just 11 weeks.
