2. Organise

All - Inform Others - Organise - Contact Councillors - Contact MP - Inform Groups
Write Letter - Gather Petition - Organise Protest - Contact Media - Present Case

The best way to influence decision-making - especially political decisions - is to demonstrate that it is more than just your own opinion. Residents' groups, even one formed yourself, nominally represent more than the sum of opinions of those involved ... even if you do not seek the opinions of all residents in an area. Even if you have not been voted into position, politicians will tend to behave as though you have! They are used to apathy, and will welcome clear opinions emerging from an organised source ... although they may not like what you say.

It is, however, beholden on any organised group to engage in the process in a reasonable way, otherwise your arguments may not be taken seriously. Development happens, it's a question of bringing pressure to bear that can have a genuine influence on that development, even if its to throw the whole thing out and start again. The community should have its voice heard, the better organised and clearer that voice, the more likely it is to influence the decision-making.

© 2006 / The Planning Resource Founding Trust