
Interventions in the built environment take place for the benefit of neglected areas that have been categorised as deprived and endured historic lack of investment. But improvements won’t be successful without genuine engagement processes being put in place to reflect what matters most to the people who contribute to making local areas viable, lively and thriving.
Building bridges and trust takes more than financial commitment, it means actively listening to what people say they need to make their area a more attractive place to live and work, and to facilitate socio-economic growth.
Disenfranchisement with the power of local voices to effect change is an inevitable consequence of a bruising combination of Brexit, Covid-19 restrictions and ongoing fiscal concerns. True change is necessitated by conversations that are conducted honestly and people need to feel that their voices are being heard.
At ECF our strength lies in having discussions that translate into actions. Successful, mutually beneficial outcomes are achieved when local people feel that they have a direct influence on the measures being proposed. There is responsibility incumbent upon the development industry to manage expectations, not make false promises and close the feedback loop. That is why we advocate for a measured tone and pace of engagement in expressed in everyday language.
In the early days of putting forward proposals, it’s mainly about just sitting down and having a chat with people about what matters most to them in their daily life. It could be that they have concerns about the environment, safety and wellbeing, protecting local jobs or they simply want to feel settled in a place where they can put down roots and make a lasting contribution to their area. This helps to build up a picture of how they want to see their community evolve and grow.
Local people know what is in their best interests and ECF guides discussions that are truly two-way. We don’t pay lip-service to engagement, we make sure that people are heard and that is reflected in the feedback we provide to our clients. I am proud to be a part of a growing consensus that is orientated towards authenticity and grounded in a participative process that is accessible to people representing different abilities, backgrounds and experiences.
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