Case Studies

Airport expansion
Public-private venture
West Wales

A public-private venture involving five organisations was proposing to develop a technology park and full-scale commercial airport at a former WWII military airfield in Aberporth, the heart of rural Wales. The development would bring jobs and investment to a deprived area, while improving transport infrastructure as an additional bonus for the local economy. Early media coverage suggested the different parties had conflicting agendas, and gave the impression that the local population was deeply hostile to the project, fearing that increased volumes of air traffic would destroy their tranquillity.

Pendragon's political analysis and on-the-ground community contact tapped into a body of supporters, who were enthusiastic about the merits of the project but had no co-ordinated voice. Their views were being eclipsed by the vocal opponents. With Pendragon's encouragement, the supporters began to speak out and the tide of public opinion swung in favour of the proposals, representing a more accurate picture of how the vast majority actually felt.

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