+ How to object to planning applications in the U.K?
As we all know, planning plays an important role in our society. This process helps to deliver critically important services such as places to live and work for our growing population, delivering regeneration, tackling climate change and protecting our natural and historic environment.
As we also know, not all planning applications are good. What you may not know is that a new lucrative industry has been created to attempt to minimise the voice of local people in the planning process. Developers regularly spend over £15,000 per planning application hiring communication experts to help them get their plans approved.
Typically Resident Associations lead a brave and passionate fight to oppose unwelcome development. However, these efforts are often in vain as planning authorities find ways of minimising their voice either by not according the same weight to petitions, letters and concerns as to those of supporters or by accusing these groups of resisting progress and economic development.
The first step in developing a winning strategy must begin with a realistic assessment of the political landscape. It is true that you can never know everything about your district, your opponents and the voters. However, by using your time wisely and setting clear priorities, you will be able to compile the kind of information you need to develop a good strategy and be prepared for most events in the coming campaign.
There are a number of factors that should be understood as completely as possible as you prepare to write a campaign plan:
· Who are the key decision makers?
· When are they up for re-election?
· What political parties are they from?
· How have they responded to previous applications?
· How can I get in touch with them?
· What exactly is being proposed?
· How will it impact on our community?
· Who are the developers?
· Are there examples of previous campaigns that you can learn from?
· What are the characteristics of the voters?
· What has happened in past elections?
Doing the research is good, but how you use it is key. Use your research to develop a clear communication strategy with a timeline for each target group. These should include the planning committee, your local elected representatives and the media. Too often campaigns forget to calculate how many votes will be needed to guarantee victory by not knowing enough about the planning committee. Determining where these votes will come from and who is most likely to support your cause is key to ensuring an effective campaign. Study the planning committee and remember everything you do is designed to influence them.
I recommend hiring a profesional body such as PlanAct ([http://www.planact.co.uk]) to help ensure your communication strategy is effective in targeting key decision makers and generating public support for your campaign.
Good luck!
