We think
around corners.
Background
Background
Cavendish Midlands supported JBM Solar to achieve planning consent for a 49.9MW solar farm in Hinckley & Bosworth. The solar farm covered an area of approximately 300 acres and once operational, will generate electricity for over 22,000 homes, saving 560,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.
JBM Solar brought us onboard as part of the project team to support the communications approach. This entailed softening the view of the development within affected communities, while also strongly positioning the development to align with the political priorities of local elected members.
Given past experience in the local authority, Cavendish were confident in opening the door for conversation and gaining advocacy from senior leaders at Hinckley & Bosworth Council. But at a local level, the scheme stretched across two wards and impacted five Parish Councils, presenting a unique communications challenge to the project.
Strategy
Strategy
Cavendish secured an early-stage meeting with Hinckley & Bosworth’s Executive member for climate change, environment and rural affairs. This helped to positively position the proposals with key influential members before conversations reached affected communities. This was followed by meetings with ward members and five relevant Parish Councils, ahead of a wider community consultation programme with local people.
These early conversations resulted in a number of key changes to the final plans submitted. This feedback and the client’s willingness to adapt, helped to mitigate perceived visual impact on neighbours and ultimately smoothen the planning process post-submission.
Following submission, Cavendish used social media to demonstrate to the council the strength of community support for the proposals and local renewable energy. Our supporter mobilisation portal makes it as simple as possible to support projects on the planning file, encouraging vocal support from even the most non-planning engaged members of the community. This work directly resulted in 213 supportive comments being submitted to the planning file by people in the local community.
The strategic early conversations with key influencers at the council, as well as the successful supporter mobilisation campaign, helped to achieve a positive outcome at Hinckley & Bosworth planning committee – with members voting unanimously in support of the application.
