Identifying who to consult should be one of the first things you plan, along with time and resources.
There are two types of audiences:
- Public consultees (community consultation)
- Statutory consultees (stakeholder consultation)
Stakeholder consultees
The stakeholder consultation should always be carried out by the project/consents team. It is not the role of the communications function to lead engagement with technical or statutory stakeholders.
Stakeholder consultation is set out in planning law and includes engagement with certain statutory organisations and other bodies. These include:
- Environment agencies
- Utility companies
- Office of Rail Regulation
- Emergency services
- Royal Mail
- Natural England
You should also consult relevant local authorities, plus any owner, lessee, tenant or occupier of land potentially impacted by the scheme.
Public consultees
Communications teams should carry out community consultations. They should also lead all engagement with public consultees, such as neighbouring residents and local community groups.
Public consultees include:
- Local MP(s) and councillors
- Local businesses
- Neighbouring residents (not directly impacted landowners/residents)
- Community and local interest groups
- Passenger and rail user groupsÂ