The Coalition Government heralded the Localism Act as a new era in community centred planning with local residents and representatives taking the lead on delivering new development in order to receive community benefits. The reality so far has been mixed with some areas recognising the opportunities that development can bring, but many others continuing to resist any form of development.

With a pro-growth ministerial reshuffle and yet more planning reforms announced this week, it is clear that the Government see the problem and are trying to do something about it – but the Pandora’s Box of Localism is open and it will be tricky to close or calm down the local campaigners against development. Click here for a summary of the recent changes to the Coalition Government affecting the planning and development sector.

The recent article in Planning Magazine by Madelene Winter, former head of planning at Test Valley Council, in many ways demonstrates the key problem that development has always faced and will always face - some people just don’t want any development of any kind. Winter’s description of a Neighbourhood Planning meeting (one of Localism’s key planks) describes the level of vitriol directed at those merely raising the concept of new development, and the impact on friendships in the local area that such disagreements can cause.

We at Iceni Projects have also seen this type of reaction first hand. Parish Councils that initially appear supportive of a development are apparently pressured into formal opposition by vociferous residents who simply wish to reject development regardless of what it is or what it can deliver for the local community. Small groups of local objectors who shout the loudest claim to speak for a whole area when the majority are relaxed or disinterested. Sadly human nature is what it is – if people are happy or unconcerned they are unlikely to do anything, if they are angry or opposed they will fight. Such opposition is generally based on pure self-interest – the issue of “house prices” is often the first to raise its head.

The key message is this. Consultation is now more important than ever before, indeed it is compulsory, but we cannot expect it to be a magic wand that will deliver support. Often consultation will serve the purpose of flushing out the key issues to address and highlighting the objections a scheme will receive. The good news is that there are many sensible residents, councillors and other advocates who accept that saying “NO” to every development is not a sound approach and that the best community benefits come from positive and constructive engagement. The purpose of planning in 2012 should be to work closely with the pragmatic members of the community in an open and honest way and demonstrate to the local planning authority who make the decisions that you have done so. Meanwhile, dealing with the NIMBYs may not be easy, pleasant or fun, but it cannot be avoided.

Localism may be a Pandora’s Box that the Government will regret opening, but it is here to stay for the foreseeable future and the earlier developers talk to the local community, the better.