People-powered regeneration

People-powered regeneration: Unlocking a sense of place

Copper puts communities at the heart of change – building trust, securing buy-in and unlocking planning approval that make regeneration happen.

These projects have the power to transform places and people’s relationships with them – it’s more than a planning exercise – it’s a social contract. That’s why we work alongside local people and partners to make every regeneration story one of shared ambition and inclusive growth.

Across the UK, demand for regeneration continues to grow

This includes high streets under pressure, to former industrial sites being reimagined for housing, innovation and enterprise. Yet success depends on much more than just vision and investment; it requires trust, collaboration and a sense of shared ownership.

We’ve supported clients including the Prince’s Foundation (now known as the King’s Foundation), Hadlow Estate, Wildfox Resorts and others to deliver place-based strategies rooted in lived experience. Working with councils, developers, communities and partners, we turn ambition into reality. Whether revitalising town centres, shaping new mixed-use neighbourhoods or creating new cultural or leisure destinations, we build advocacy that secures consent and unlocks lasting change.

Cardiff Parkway and Hendre Lakes

Copper developed a compelling branding, communications, engagement and consultation strategy for Cardiff Parkway and Hendre Lakes, a transformative new business district in the heart of the Cardiff Capital Region. Building relationships early on with the local community, we hosted branding discovery workshops and created materials inspired by the site’s natural landscape. Ensuring inclusive participation, we designed accessible print and digital assets supported by a bilingual website and vibrant event materials, helping to establish strong foundations for the project’s planning process, and received positive feedback for its clarity and accessibility throughout all communications.

Creative branding, stakeholder communications and consultation

Towns Fund

Leading communications and engagement as part of the Towns Fund Delivery Partner consortium, Copper has been driving the Government’s levelling-up agenda for towns historically lacking investment. We established a joint Communications and Messaging Working Group, ensuring clear and consistent dialogue between the UK Government and towns. We delivered tailored resources, webinars and one-to-one advice, supporting over 100 towns to develop visions, secure funding and launch projects. Today, the consortium is empowering communities to shape their futures, with the help of expert guidance, through a town-centric approach, resulting in total investments worth £2.4 billion funding nearly 800 transformative projects across England.

Driving the Government’s levelling-up agenda

Hartshill, North Warwickshire (Tarmac)

Copper crafted a strategic communications plan to support Tarmac’s planning application for 300 homes, retail units and public open space in Hartshill, North Warwickshire. Navigating a politically sensitive environment, we rebranded the project to emphasise community benefits, open spaces and infrastructure improvements over housing numbers. Our targeted engagement with council leadership focused on local plan alignment, appeal costs and Section 106 funding support. This proactive approach fostered constructive relationships with the council and key stakeholders, which helped to depoliticise the process. As the project moves forwards, our strategy continues to build trust and pave the way for a successful planning determination.

Fostering relationships with the council and key stakeholders