How you can influence
You can influence your regional spatial strategy
The most important thing to remember is that you must get involved at a stage when all or part of the strategy is under review.
Work out what issues you want the strategy to address and put them to the planners at an early stage of the review process, while they are still looking for ideas.
Use any early opportunities to attend meetings and be involved.
It's harder to influence the strategy later on
Give people your views, and by getting involved in regional planning is much more important than it has been in the past because regional spatial strategies are statutory and make up part of the development plan.
Don't wait for the strategy process to start. Find out more about regional processes and make sure regional decision-makers are aware of your views.
Build a rapport with the planners
Find out who in the regional planning body is working on the topics or sub-regions that you are concerned about.
Tell them the things you are interested in, so that they consult you about them. This gives you a chance to influence what the strategy documents say.
Try to work with planners from the local authorities too, as they will have an influence on what is in the regional and sub-regional policies.
Find out if they are on any regional working groups.
Most of the members of the regional planning body are local councillors from the local authorities in the region. Identify those who might be interested in supporting the same local areas or region-wide issues as you.
There will, however, be other representatives from
- Business
- Social sector
- Environmental organisations.
It is important to also identify those members in the 'other stakeholder' sector who will speak up for your views.
At the same time, statutory bodies such as the Environment Agency and other voluntary environmental organisations may well be fighting the same cause as you are.
The more you can link up and make common cause, the stronger the message.
It is also important to recognise the key role of the Government Office and ensure their officers are aware of your views.
Contribute your knowledge and skills
The planners will collect a wide range of views using methods like focus groups, workshops and opinion polls. They will be receiving views from experts on particular subjects and from the wider public.
Don't be modest. If you disagree with some of the views coming from polls and focus groups, stress your own experience, knowledge and skills.
Make the planners aware that your views are significant and supported by other people. Offer substantial comments on the submitted strategy, and say that you want to follow them up at the examination in public.
Get publicity
Get publicity for the things you think the strategy should contain.
If they strike a chord with the public, they will be reflected in the wider views the planners receive.
This may, for example, be through
- Leaflets
- Meetings
- Contacting the press.
Always remember most newspapers do not print stories about strategies.
Try to find personal and local angles that will appeal to the journalists you are addressing.