Our Services

Effective communication, political engagement and meaningful public consultation are fundamental to successful planning and development. At Consult Communications, we combine strategic insight, extensive experience and a detailed understanding of the planning and political landscape to help our clients navigate challenges, build relationships and achieve successful outcomes.

We are passionate about what we do and believe that proactive, well-planned engagement with local communities, elected representatives and key stakeholders leads to stronger relationships, better-informed planning decisions and ultimately better developments. Effective engagement is about more than simply communicating proposals; it is about understanding local priorities, addressing concerns and creating opportunities for constructive dialogue.

Irrespective of the nature of the proposals, the size of the site or the type of development, every project presents its own opportunities and challenges. We provide a tailored and strategic approach that reflects the local political environment, community expectations and the individual requirements of each scheme, ensuring that engagement is both meaningful and effective.

With more than 25 years' experience across planning, development, politics and public affairs, we understand how planning decisions are made and the importance of engaging with the right people at the right time. Working closely with our clients and their professional teams, we provide strategic advice and practical support from initial scoping and strategic planning, through stakeholder engagement, public consultation and planning submission, to the determination of an application and achieving successful outcomes.

Our services focus on three complementary areas of expertise, bringing together the specialist knowledge, strategic advice and practical support needed to guide development proposals successfully through the planning process.

Stakeholder & Politcal Relations

Effective stakeholder relations are fundamental to the successful delivery of any development project. Drawing on our extensive political experience, strategic insight and established relationships, we provide tailored engagement and communications support designed to inform, influence, build trust and help achieve successful planning outcomes.

  • Research

    Understanding the political and stakeholder landscape is essential to developing an effective engagement strategy. We undertake detailed research to identify key decision-makers, understand local priorities, assess political sensitivities and anticipate potential challenges and opportunities.

    Our approach provides valuable intelligence into the motivations and concerns of elected representatives, community groups and other influential stakeholders, enabling us to develop targeted strategies that support the objectives of each project.

  • Relationship Building

    Establishing constructive relationships with local decision-makers, influencers and stakeholders is central to our approach. We engage across all levels of local government and the wider community, including residents' associations, parish and town councils, ward councillors, council leaders, senior officers and Members of Parliament.

    Our extensive cross-party political knowledge, experience and established networks enable us to facilitate meaningful dialogue, communicate the benefits of development proposals and address potential concerns at an early stage.

    By encouraging open, proactive and two-way engagement, we help build trust, strengthen relationships and create a more informed and constructive environment for decision-making.

  • Support

    Our priority is to help clients achieve successful outcomes by ensuring that key stakeholders and decision-makers have a clear understanding of their proposals, the benefits they offer and how potential concerns are being addressed.

    Drawing on first-hand experience of elected office, planning committees and local government decision-making, we understand the political considerations, pressures and processes that can influence planning outcomes.

    Our specialist planning committee support provides strategic advice, targeted councillor engagement and carefully prepared briefing materials to ensure proposals are clearly communicated and effectively presented throughout the decision-making process, giving applications the strongest possible opportunity for success.

Community Relations

Our extensive knowledge of the planning process, combined with a detailed understanding of local communities, their priorities, aspirations and concerns, enables us to develop tailored engagement strategies that are locally focused, inclusive and effective. We go beyond traditional consultation to deliver meaningful engagement that builds relationships, strengthens proposals and supports successful planning outcomes.

  • Research

    Understanding the local community is fundamental to developing a successful engagement strategy. We undertake detailed research to identify key community groups, residents' associations, local businesses, neighbouring properties and other interested parties, alongside the issues and priorities that matter most to them.

    This early insight enables us to anticipate potential concerns, identify opportunities for constructive engagement and recognise where support for proposals may exist, ensuring our approach is informed, targeted and responsive to local circumstances.

    Our approach provides valuable intelligence into the motivations and concerns of elected representatives, community groups and other influential stakeholders, enabling us to develop targeted strategies that support the objectives of each project.

  • Engagement & Consulting

    Meaningful engagement starts with getting out into the community, listening to local people and creating genuine opportunities for dialogue. We develop and deliver comprehensive consultation programmes that communicate proposals clearly, explain their benefits, address concerns and demonstrate how community feedback can help shape development.

    From public exhibitions, drop-in events and stakeholder workshops to dedicated consultation websites, newsletters, surveys, Social Media and digital engagement and one-to-one meetings, we use a wide range of traditional and innovative methods to reach local audiences.

    Our approach ensures that consultation is accessible, engaging and professionally delivered, helping to build trust, encourage participation and establish a positive and constructive dialogue between developers and the communities in which they operate.

    Our extensive cross-party political knowledge, experience and established networks enable us to facilitate meaningful dialogue, communicate the benefits of development proposals and address potential concerns at an early stage.

    By encouraging open, proactive and two-way engagement, we help build trust, strengthen relationships and create a more informed and constructive environment for decision-making.

  • Silent Majority

    One of the most frequently overlooked aspects of public consultation is ensuring that the wider community has an opportunity to be heard, not just those who are most vocal or actively opposed to development.

    We recognise that many residents and businesses may have an interest in a proposal but would not ordinarily participate in formal consultation. Through targeted outreach, accessible engagement opportunities and a combination of traditional and digital communication methods, we work to reach these often underrepresented voices.

    By encouraging broader participation, we help establish a more balanced and representative understanding of community opinion, including identifying those who recognise the potential benefits of a development.

  • Support

    Building and maintaining relationships throughout the planning process is essential. We work to ensure that community feedback, expressions of support and the benefits of development proposals are clearly communicated to the relevant decision-makers.

    Through comprehensive feedback analysis, consultation reporting and ongoing engagement, we demonstrate how local views have been considered and, where appropriate, influenced the evolution of proposals.

    Our approach helps ensure that the full range of community perspectives is reflected in the planning process, providing clients with a credible and well-evidenced account of their engagement activities.

  • Media

    Effective media relations can play an important role in shaping public understanding of development proposals and ensuring that accurate, balanced information reaches the wider community.

    We provide strategic media advice, develop clear and compelling messaging, manage press enquiries and proactively identify opportunities to communicate the benefits of a scheme through local, regional and, where appropriate, national media.

    Drawing on our established media relationships and extensive communications experience, we help clients manage sensitive issues, respond confidently to scrutiny and secure positive coverage that supports wider engagement and communications objectives.

Digital Engagement

Digital engagement is an essential part of modern planning communications and public consultation. Our combination of digital expertise, creative design and strategic communications experience enables us to deliver innovative, accessible and engaging solutions that reach wider audiences, encourage participation and communicate development proposals effectively.

  • Projet Websites

    A dedicated project website provides a central platform for communicating development proposals, sharing information and encouraging meaningful community engagement. It enables residents, stakeholders and decision-makers to explore proposals, understand their benefits, access the latest updates and provide feedback throughout the consultation process.

    At Consult Communications, we design, develop and manage bespoke consultation websites that are visually engaging, informative and easy to navigate. From interactive content and project updates to online surveys, feedback forms and frequently asked questions, our websites are designed to communicate key messages clearly, address misconceptions and encourage constructive dialogue.

    We also recognise the importance of accessibility and choice, integrating digital engagement with traditional communication channels, including dedicated Freephone numbers, Freepost addresses and direct correspondence.

  • Online Virtual Exhibitions

    Online exhibitions provide a flexible, accessible and effective way for communities to explore development proposals and participate in consultation at a time and place that suits them.

    Going beyond traditional exhibition boards, our digital consultation platforms can incorporate interactive masterplans, videos, visualisations, frequently asked questions, image galleries and online feedback opportunities, creating a more engaging and informative experience.

    Promoted through newsletters, social media and other communication channels, virtual exhibitions complement in-person events, extend the reach of consultation and provide valuable opportunities to engage with those who may otherwise be unable or unlikely to attend.

    By making information readily accessible and participation straightforward, we help ensure that a broader cross-section of the community has the opportunity to understand proposals and contribute their views.

  • Social Media

    Social media provides a powerful platform for raising awareness, communicating key messages and reaching audiences who may not traditionally participate in planning consultations.

    We develop and manage targeted social media campaigns designed to reach specific geographical areas and relevant audiences, helping to promote consultation activities, highlight the benefits of development proposals and encourage wider community participation.

    Through carefully planned content, engaging visuals and targeted digital advertising, we help clients communicate effectively, respond to emerging issues and direct audiences towards project websites, exhibitions and feedback opportunities.

    Our strategic approach ensures that social media activity forms part of a coordinated engagement programme, extending the reach of consultation, encouraging informed discussion and helping to build a broader understanding of development proposals.

CONSULT CONNECT

CONSULT CONNECT is our innovative, targeted digital engagement service, designed to transform how developers communicate with local communities, reach new audiences and encourage meaningful participation in the planning process. Combining intelligent digital targeting with our extensive planning and communications expertise, CONSULT CONNECT provides a smarter, more proactive approach to public consultation. Traditional consultation methods can often attract those with the strongest views, while a significant proportion of the wider community remains unheard.

CONSULT CONNECT helps address  this challenge by using sophisticated geographic and demographic targeting through digital and social media platforms to reach residents who might not ordinarily engage with development proposals, including the often-overlooked 'silent majority'.

Through carefully designed digital campaigns, compelling content and targeted communications, we raise awareness of development proposals, communicate their benefits and encourage local people to explore plans and provide feedback through dedicated consultation websites and online engagement platforms. This approach helps broaden participation, identify potential supporters and provide a more representative understanding of community opinion.

CONSULT CONNECT combines the reach and efficiency of modern digital technology with the strategic insight and practical experience of Consult Communications. Working alongside traditional engagement methods, it provides developers with a cost-effective, measurable and highly targeted approach to consultation, helping to build awareness, strengthen community relationships and support successful planning outcomes.