A mixed use development, comprising retail, restaurant and a plot for Class B uses, proposed by LondonMetric Property plc and Avercet Property for a decade-long brownfield site at Weymouth Gateway.
Task
Having been surprised by a formal objection from a seemingly supportive Weymouth Town Council, the applicants recruited Seaxburh to identify and mobilise influential supporters for a full planning application ahead of Dorset Council’s planning committee meeting.
Challenges
- The site was allocated for B Class use in the Local Plan
- The first public consultation had exposed significant objection from surrounding neighbours
- The Town Council formally objected to the proposals, despite having seemed supportive in initial meetings (pre Seaxburh’s involvement)
What We Did
- Established positive relationship with local news outlet
- Secured and mobilised the active support of all three local business groups
- Created and promoted an online public exhibition. This gained more than 500 responses (c10 times the norm for the town), of which nearly 90% were supportive. From this we created a persuasive SCI Addendum and influencing campaign
- Lobbied Cabinet members and informed planning committee members of the scheme’s evolution in response to feedback, as well as socio-economic benefits as assessed by independent reports
- Established cross-party local political support that mitigated the Town Council planning committee objection
Outcomes
A resolution to grant planning permission was made by an 11:1 vote at the Dorset Council planning committee meeting in March 2021.
Client Feedback
‘Niki’s wide-ranging stakeholder engagement, lobbying and communications campaign was absolutely fundamental in turning the tide, achieving overwhelming support from all quarters of the community and ultimately gaining consent with a decisive vote in favour of our scheme.’
Tom Pinder, Executive Development Manager, LondonMetric Property plc
