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How will the lockdown roadmap change the way we engage on development proposals in 2021?

As we emerge from our winter lockdown into the hope of spring and a roadmap to ‘normality’, it’s timely to consider the longer term changes to the way we work following the pandemic. Associate Director in our Strategic Communications team, Andrea Kellegher, sets out her predictions on how we carry out engagement on emerging development proposals over the coming year.

This time last year we were faced with the reality of cancelling stakeholder meetings, public exhibitions and planning committees, to find an exclusively virtual way to communicate.

Over the past 12 months we have seen how effective digital communications can be in creating a more convenient, open and wide reaching way to engage - with some great insights provided by my team earlier this year and predictions of a steady increase in demand for digital consultation.

Yet, for some the desire for human contact, frustrations of bad Wi-Fi connections, forgetting to unmute or avoiding becoming the next Jackie Weaver may see us back in a chilly village hall by Christmas. 

For me, there are a few things to consider that will shape the way we carry out strategic communications across the remainder of the year.

Legal requirements 

Last week we heard how some local authorities are fighting to keep virtual planning committee meetings, which are legally due to end on 6 May 2021; with arguments that this approach is more transparent, accessible, cuts travel time and helps people live more sustainable lives. I couldn’t agree more.

Similarly, where public consultation forms a statutory part of the planning process, we will start to see impending end dates for the temporary measures put in place to allow for online engagement during the pandemic.

Ultimately, despite the desire of local authorities, developers, councillors and residents, we may not have a choice in how these processes are conducted and have to revert back to pre-COVID, in-person requirements. It seems that a ‘lessons learnt’ review is needed in England and the devolved nations, to adapt processes to meet the best practices formed over the past year and people’s changing behaviours and expectations.

Confidence to meet

Whilst some of us are eager to return to a room full of people, despite the promising roll out of the vaccine, there will be a number of people who do not feel safe and willing to meet in person – or share a box of pens left on the feedback table. Just as it took time for us to adjust to going into lockdown, it will take time for us to find our way back to ‘normal’, and flexibility will be key to ensuring continued, inclusive access to communications over the coming months.

Similarly, many of us are suffering from post-lockdown trust issues after a year of broken promises and scepticism of projected pandemic timeframes. Those working in the built environment sector may choose to take the ‘safe’ option in their project planning over 2021, and avoid any in person engagement until 2022.  

Meeting expectations

Over the last year I have been regularly asked by residents and councillors ‘when we are allowed, will you meet us in person to discuss this?’, highlighting the continued desire for physical engagement, which shouldn’t be dismissed. Meeting with people, and being able to read visual cues, that aren’t possible through a screen, builds better relationships and understanding. Part of me misses the informal chat over a cuppa and custard cream before the start of a meeting. 

Equally, people now more than ever expect to access consultation information online to view and respond to at their convenience. From my personal experience the use of webinars, that can be recorded, shared and re-watched, have been greatly welcomed by members of the public and consultant teams – making it easier to access information, ensure consistency in the communication of project messaging, and save an enormous amount of project team time.

In the long run, I hope to see a hybrid model of digital and in person engagement that is bespoke to meet the individual needs of the community and the project. It’s safe to say that digitally led communications is here to stay, and I predict that we are in for at least another six months of virtual meetings. However, as we return from our long awaited summer holidays, we may once again be meeting in person to discuss new developments – although perhaps in smaller groups than we previously came to expect.

For more information on the work of our Strategic Communications team and to find out how we can help with your project communications, please contact Andrea Kellegher.

8 March 2021