What We Do

Public Consultation – Embracing Public Opinion

Our multi-disciplinary team has all the in-house expertise we need. But each time we set our sights on a new town, we know the real experts are the people who live there. Local people have a sense of ownership and a pride in their hometown. They can provide us with valuable insights into the way the town functions. And if we’re to achieve lasting value, they’re the people we need to please.

We’ve always viewed public consultation as a massively important step, and one that begins right at the start of a project. It’s only by working with stakeholders, particularly the general public, that we can identify – and then meet – their wants and expectations.

Given the significance of what we do, we also think it’s fundamental to collaborate with local authorities. In fact, nearly all our projects rely on strong partnerships with local authorities and urban regeneration delivery bodies. Recent examples include Winchester, Hemel Hempstead, Sunderland and Gloucester. A particularly fruitful partnership, and one that's set to last for 20 years, is that with Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) covering the three town centres of East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. In this case, we’ve been able to take an even broader view, examining the role each town has in the local area.