Challenge
Our client required a coordinated communications and stakeholder engagement programme spanning nine proposed renewable energy sites across three local authority areas. The portfolio included solar PV, substations and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), each with distinct local contexts, priorities and sensitivities.
The challenge was to engage effectively with a diverse range of political, technical and community stakeholders while addressing site-specific concerns, understanding local aspirations and maintaining positive relationships throughout the planning process.
Approach
Using Copper’s Co:design methodology, we developed and delivered a comprehensive engagement programme that placed local communities at the heart of the project.
Through a series of community workshops, stakeholder meetings and targeted engagement activities, we created opportunities for meaningful dialogue between the project team and local stakeholders. These sessions explored local challenges, community priorities and opportunities for wider social value, while providing a forum for stakeholders to shape project proposals as they evolved.
By capturing and analysing qualitative feedback from across the project area, we helped ensure community insight informed decision-making, strengthened project design and fostered transparent, constructive relationships throughout the planning process.
Value Delivered
- Delivered meaningful engagement with community, political and technical stakeholders.
- Generated valuable local insight, improving understanding of community priorities, sensitivities and opportunities.
- Enabled community feedback to directly inform project design and mitigation measures.
- Built positive relationships and trust with stakeholders throughout the planning process.
- Supported the development of locally relevant community benefits.
- Created a robust evidence base of stakeholder feedback to support planning applications and ongoing project development.