Community engagement

Focus group discussions, public exhibitions and presentations to stakeholders are just some of the activities KLW can assist with.

A feature of modern planning is the need to engage effectively with local communities. Traditionally this has been in the form of an exhibition, but more recently open forums and workshops are being promoted by local authorities. Neighbourhood planning is a particular growth area and this involves a significant amount of community engagement.

Here at KLW we have acted for Town and Parish Councils in preparing their plans but also private clients who have promoted land through the Neighbourhood Plan process. At all levels the ability to present to large groups is essential and this is something in which we are particularly adept.

The Localism Act introduced new rights and powers to allow local communities to shape new development by preparing neighbourhood plans or local development orders. KLW has acted for both landowners who are proposing sites for new development through this process and Parish and Town Councils embarking on the preparation of such documents. KLW is able to assist in the designation of Neighbourhood Plan areas, scoping of the sustainability appraisals and preparation of the policy documents themselves. We are experienced in preparing statements of community involvement, sustainability appraisals and basic condition statements, all of which are necessary for the neighbourhood planning process. KLW has wide ranging experience in the handling of the formal Examination of such plans. The rules and regulations covering neighbourhood planning can be daunting for some but through the team working approach that KLW offer, the delivery of these documents is achievable.