Community engagement is a crucial part of the design and planning process. It is enshrined within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plan, as well as in neighbourhood plans at the borough level.
Communities can have a range of different views. The aim of engagement is not to convince people but rather to reach a consensus.
The earlier you start the engagement process, the better. Communities are more likely to positively engage when they are involved early on. Presenting final plans and designs to community groups signals that their feedback on key elements of the design won’t be accepted.
There are many different community engagement tools, including walkabouts, info sessions and co-design workshops. The more interactive the tool, the better.