Sector: Green belt release

A planning application for a 34-bed extra care development on a Green Belt site, which was recommended for refusal.

The Meadows, Extra Care scheme

Churchgate Services, Woking Borough Council - Status: Planning application approved

Our role: Churchgate Services appointed Chess Engage to craft an engagement strategy for their planning application, situated on a Green Belt site. Despite facing initial recommendation for refusal by officers, the collaboration aimed to address concerns and gather wider support.

Our approach: We devised a strategy for engagement which included crafting a compelling set of key messages to convey the need for the new extra care development. We then implemented a programme of targeted engagement which included community canvassing to gauge public sentiments and gather feedback on the proposal. Our approach allowed us to address any concerns, as well as establish a platform for community involvement.

Recognising the role of key strategic stakeholders, we briefed our existing contacts - Surrey County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Services, the Director of Adult Services, and the Director of Commissioning. These interactions were instrumental in ensuring that the strategic aims of the project were not only understood but were consistent with the policy approach of Surrey County Council.

Results:

• We secured the support of more than 50 residents, prompting them to submit positive representations to the planning authority in support of the planning application.
• We secured the support of the ward councillors, who called in the application to ensure it would be determined by the Planning committee, and attended and spoke in favour of the application.
• The officer recommendation for refusal was overturned achieving a favourable outcome for the client.

“We were delighted with the work undertaken by Chess Engage on our challenging green belt site The Meadows Woking, in mobilising resident and local political support for our Extra Care proposals – ultimately overturning an officer recommendation of refusal. Chess Engage were instrumental in helping deliver this amazing result and we won’t hesitate to use them again on other projects.”