When it comes to the planning stages of your renewables project, community consultations play a vital role in ensuring a smooth development process.
Essentially, community consultations act as a link between the developers and the public. At these events, members of the community are invited to become involved in the process by asking questions or raising any concerns they may have.
Although it may seem like community involvement could potentially hinder the progression of your initiative, community consultations can be very beneficial during the planning stages of your renewable project. However, there is a lot of preparation that goes into ensuring your consultation is successful.
Read on to find out the advantages that community consultations can have on your renewable energy initiative especially when planned well.
Invite key stakeholders
By inviting key stakeholders such as local people, elected representatives and businesses within the community, you can help connect your project to residents and form good relations.
At community consultations, you are granted the opportunity to be transparent with those in the community as you can explain the project and its benefits or any potential impacts that may arise. This setting can offer you the chance to answer any questions from residents, making them feel heard and involved in the project. It is also likely that attendees will appreciate the openness of the event.
Gathering feedback
One of the key benefits of running community consultations is the gathering of feedback from attendees. At these meetings, you can hear public concerns and then address them.
Hearing feedback can also help you realise which areas you can potentially improve on during the planning and design process, which can then be considered and addressed effectively.
Identifying areas for improvement during the planning process allows you to consider and make changes that may be beneficial to the project and please the community in the long run. Overall, this will help you to understand what would work best for both the project and the community
Prepare answers to difficult questions in advance
You should consider the questions you may be asked in preparation for your community consultation. For example: Why this area? What is the cumulative impact of another renewable project? Are there any risks? Why are you using this land? Who is funding the project? What are the benefits to the community? These, and more, are all possible questions that could arise at a community consultation.
Researching these topics and preparing answers in advance, ensures that you and everyone in attendance will be prepared. This will ensure you are consistent in the information provided. Similarly, if these questions are answered confidently then you will appear knowledgeable which will build credibility and reassure the public of the project.
Tap into the current public discourse around similar projects
Looking into public discourse concerning other renewable projects can be useful to help understand public opinion on the subject. You can do this by reading local newspapers and tapping into local groups to learn how the public has responded to similar projects.
The information you learn from this can be valuable as it can expose any potential areas of concern that may arise. This can then be utilised and used proactively to prepare for and avoid these possible issues within your project.
Knowing this information can help you to make better decisions that address the public’s environmental and cultural needs, which will improve the community’s perspective towards your renewables project.
Speak to influential figures in advance
Approaching any elected representatives or influential figures in advance can help to build credibility for your project. If these public figures can vouch for your company, then locals may be more accepting of the initiative.
Having contact with certain representatives can also help you gather valuable information about public concerns or to identify any challenges that may arise.
Include visuals
Finally, including images such as 3D models at your community consultation can help to make the project seem more interesting/dynamic to attendees, enhancing engagement. It can also help the locals and stakeholders understand the project/process. In addition to providing an engaging experience for visitors, it will also leave a lasting impression.
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Therefore, when thoughtfully planned, community consultations can provide a variety of benefits for your renewable energy project in the long run.
If you are interested in chatting to Represent about support for your renewables project, get in touch with us here to discuss your marketing needs.