Stakeholder Communications

When a project starts to take shape, a whole range of groups and individuals will want to know what's going on. Local residents, politicians, businesses, environmental organisations and pressure groups care about their community and each have a different agenda.

Identifying these key stakeholders is the first step towards understanding how a proposal may affect them and how they are likely to react. Detailed public relations planning takes all interest groups and potential issues into account, enabling risks be identified before they escalate into a problem.

Environmental assessments, budget plans and international reputations cannot always protect a project from being derailed by campaigners who can fuel political opposition.

Our approach is to ensure that the voice of the community as a whole is heard and not just the views of a vocal minority. We know that some projects falter because the only views heard in public belong to the opponents. That is why we aim to look a little further and uncover the silent supporters who can exert a balancing influence.

Public consultation is increasingly required by Government legislation and feeds information to communities surrounding a proposed development, encouraging input into the decision-making process.

Councillors are also encouraged to engage with developers and the community, particularly at the pre-application stage. For developers, this creates an opportunity to explain a project in depth, take a sounding of public opinion and make any necessary adjustments to the proposals.