Modern ways of engaging people
Social networking may be cheap as a way of garnering local support for development proposals (Inside Housing, 25 June), but it is only part of the communications mix and hardly the best way of targeting by geographical area.
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The opinions that weigh most heavily with planning authorities are the ones that come from people immediately affected. That might be residents, parents and users of neighbouring schools and parks. A supporter living across the road is a very powerful advocate.
New technology is especially valuable in engaging with certain hard-to-reach groups.
Email might be the best way to communicate regularly with house-bound residents; text messages might grab the attention of young people. But there’s no substitute for methods that proactively engage with all those affected.
Phil Kennedy, planning and development team, Financial Dynamics Ltd