Consultation proves to be the key to winning support and gaining approval for sensitive development on a major rural estate

 Gaining planning permission for new homes in rural locations can be controversial.  KOR Communications’ early involvement in plans to build on sites within the Englefield Estate in Berkshire was crucial in bringing the projects to a successful conclusion.

The Estate responded to West Berkshire Council’s “call for sites” to identify potential locations for new homes to meet the district’s growing housing needs.  Englefield was able to point to two sites, one on the edge of Theale and the other at Burghfield, both of which were subsequently included in the West Berkshire local plan as having development potential. 

The fact that the sites had been earmarked as likely locations for new properties was clearly beneficial, but it was still important for KOR to put together a community engagement strategy and consult with stakeholders, including the local authority, if the plans were to gain planning approval.

KOR’s senior consultant Andrew Howard said: “We put together exhibitions and invited those likely to be most affected by the plans to view the proposals and provide feedback.”  KOR also created individual websites for each of the two proposals.  Both envisaged around 100 homes, 40% of them affordable.

It was particularly important for the Englefield Estate that the developments were supported by residents and fitted in with wider strategic plans for the Estate, which has been in the ownership of the Benyon family since the mid-18th century.

All agreed it was vital to preserve the environment around the sites, including taking great care that ancient woodland, close to the site in Burghfield, was preserved.  When the Estate faced potential damage to its reputation through a grossly inaccurate media report about the impact the building work would have on the woodland, KOR took robust action.

It requested the local publisher remove the inaccurate information from its website and when it failed to comply, took up the complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation and achieved a satisfactory resolution of the issue for the Englefield Estate.

Listening to the concerns of local people was also crucial when the Englefield Estate asked residents to consider the future of the historic village of Englefield, which sites within an AONB and much of which is designated a Conservation Area.

Andrew said:

“KOR carried out a thorough consultation exercise and asked residents how they thought Englefield Village could and should change to keep it as a sustainable community where people can still live and work, but without losing its history and charm.”

Following the consultation, plans were submitted to create office workspace in redundant buildings in the Estate Yard, create new car parking to reduce disruptive on-street parking and turn a former social club into a new community hall for local events.  All the proposals were approved.

Andrew said:

“KOR Communications’ relationship with Englefield Estate as a retained client meant we were always sensitive to striking a balance between supporting the Estate’s development aims while ensuring, through consultation with local people, that Englefield’s excellent reputation as a sensitive landowner was maintained.”