Property PR Hub

Professionalising consultation in planning

The law surrounding statutory consultation is extensive. And yet when developers consult on planning applications, there is a stark absence of official guidance, regulation and case law. Why, in a discipline led by professionals – chartered surveyors, planning consultants and lawyers – is the approach to consultation so lacking in professional rigour?  Because in most ...
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Online consultation:  a social media warning

As someone who believes strongly in online consultation, I work with social media on planning applications on a daily basis.  On the whole I think that social media offers some fantastic opportunities for promoting and extending the accessibility of a planning application. But I have to say, don’t be tempted to use social media just ...
Property PR Hub

21st Century community relations: using online communications to benefit resident liaison published in Construction Manager

From the first planning meeting to the last construction vehicle leaving site, building benefits from positive communication with local residents.  And as the way in which people’s approach to communication changes, so too should the construction industry’s.  The internet is changing communication in every context.  Today over 90% households have internet access, 73% adults own ...
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How the web is changing construction community liaison strategies published in Construction Manager

Digital communication is transforming how contractors approach stakeholder liaison on major projects. Penny Norton explains. From the first planning meeting to the last vehicle leaving site, construction benefits from positive communication with local residents. And as the way in which people’s approach to communication changes, so too should the construction industry’s. The internet is changing ...
Property PR Hub

The book tour goes to Belfast

On Friday I’ll be in Belfast presenting to a law firm and the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action on the importance (and context, structure, issues and techniques) of consultation in planning. I’ll be covering some of the content of my book Public Consultation and Community Involvement in Planning: a twenty-first century guide and Rhion ...
Property PR Hub

Monitoring, analysis and evaluation – three very separate components of a consultation

Monitoring, analysis and evaluation are all very important components of consultation and should not be confused.  The important difference is that monitoring occurs throughout the consultation.  Analysis, although it can be on-going, takes place (or is complete) at the end of the process.  Likewise although tactics can be evaluated while they are in progress, the ...
Property PR Hub

Professionalising consultation in planning published by The Consultation Institute

The law surrounding statutory consultation is extensive. And yet when developers consult on planning applications, there is a stark absence of official guidance, regulation and case law. Why, in a discipline led by professionals – chartered surveyors, planning consultants and lawyers – is the approach to consultation so lacking in professional rigour?  Because in most ...