Supporters

Iain Simpson Chairman Wimbledon Park Residents' Association

10 Steps

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

If any two things under-write what local residents need to do when faced with a development which they wish to influence, it's act quickly, and inform others.

Surely the most iniquitous and unbalanced aspect of the planning system - and there are several - is that, although developers have months, and sometimes years, to work on their ideas, often in close co-operation with the planning authority, local residents have a statutory 21-days in which to canvas, form and express their opinions from the moment at which they're told about any development or scheme. Yes ... 21-days.

Some local authorities will not hold local residents to this, but they can if they wish! From the moment the notice for a development is posted [the publication date] - either as a notice on site, or in the local newspaper - the clock is ticking. It's the first and most obvious sign of a planning process that can appear indifferent, and even hostile, to those local people who wish to make their voices known. To begin the fight back you must act quickly, but there may be a long learning curve to reach a point at which any local person can have a decisive effect.

The following 10 Steps give a systematic approach which covers the bases, and shortcuts the process of catching-up on what you need to know, and what you need to do.

Act quickly. Act in company. Act publicly. Activate local opinion.

© 2006 / The Planning Resource Founding Trust