We are delighted to be part of the team behind the stakeholder engagement strategy at Trent Basin, a new 21st century waterside neighbourhood in Nottingham for developer Blueprint. Working alongside data & technology consultants Deetu, the innovative digital-first consultation exercise has won the 'Stakeholder Engagement in Planning Award' at this years Planning Awards.
The current COVID pandemic has required the team to develop new and innovative approaches to consultation combing BIM and web based technologies. These new technologies have provided exciting ways of engaging both planning authorities and the wider public and have delivered some surprising and encouraging results. At Trent Basin our BIM model was converted into a series visualizations and walk-throughs that allowed the public to explore in their own time the public realm and architecture on their tablets and phones. The projects location and role within the wider Nottingham context could also be clearly understood in 3d and targeted questions were explored concerning the public realm, sustainability, house types and lifestyle choice.
Rather than the consultation happening in a static exhibition context these new tools have enabled us to reach wider audience and gather significant data across an extended demographic and across more topics increasing meaningful engagement with the project by 1500%. Awareness of the project was increased through a coordinated social media campaign, QR code posters, Facebook Groups, press releases, alongside a local letter drop and leaflet distribution. The feedback has helped the planning authority gain a greater understanding of the wider public support for the innovative sustainable design being promoted at Trent Basin.
“This was a first for us. The interactive tools offered a constructive way to gain an understanding of the scheme. It not only saved us time, but gave us a lot more information to determine our views than a typical application. We hope that others would use this approach.’’ Jim Rae, Senior Principal Planning Officer, Nottingham City Council.
“I never thought I’d meet an architect, and I never thought anyone would ask me what I wanted like this.” Youth Engagement Participant, Trent Basin
The project team includes Proctor and Matthews Architects (masterplanner and lead architect), Sarah Wigglesworth Architects and Turner Works Architects.
