The advent of Localism has required a step change in the way that successful planning projects are conducted. Communities now expect (and are legally entitled to) meaningful consultation on new proposals. To this end, Iceni Projects' growing Community Planning Team, has been a crucial part of the company's offer.

Recent examples of this in practice saw Iceni help to secure outline planning permission in May 2013 for the redevelopment of a former textile factory site in Suffolk  to provide a new residential development. The site, which has been vacant since March 2011, was marketed for a year in an attempt to find developers willing to take it on for industrial use, however there was no credible interest.  The derelict site  had become a source of anti-social behaviour and was in desperate need of regeneration.

Iceni Projects’ Community Planning Team led on the consultation work ensuring that extensive engagement was undertaken, in particular with local residents and the Parish Council to understand local concerns and issues associated with redevelopment of the site. These were subsequently considered in the evolution and design of the proposals and included improving the parking provision for existing residents adjacent to the site, provision of open space and a play area and improvements to the local highways. The consultation activities included a forum with local residents, a public exhibition and a presentation to the Parish Council and members of the public. By the time the planning application went to Committee, there was just one letter of objection, and members of the Planning Committee voted ten to one in favour of the plans.

Consultation does work but it has to be a two-way process; when communities know they have had their issues and concerns taken on board, the process runs more smoothly, and inevitably delivers a much higher prospect of success for applicants.