Scotland’s National Planning Framework 4 stipulates that meaningful community engagement should form a part of all renewable planning applications. In principle, this means providing opportunities for stakeholders to view and comment on the project plans, listening to community feedback and implementing reasonable changes when developing the final proposal.
Nevertheless, how renewable developers interpret and implement this framework varies greatly, with several high-profile cases clearly demonstrating the reputational and financial risks of getting stakeholder engagement wrong.
Looking to nail your stakeholder engagement strategy for an upcoming renewable project? Look no further…
DO
Start Early
Effective stakeholder engagement requires thorough planning and early outreach. Communicating with the appropriate people from the outset is key to preventing the spread of misinformation about your project.
Compiling a comprehensive stakeholder list is the first step. Done well, this process identifies the key individuals, media outlets, and community groups you need to communicate with and the best channels to reach them
Early research can also reveal stakeholders who have previously expressed objections to similar developments, or groups set up against renewable developments. This information should guide how you develop your stakeholder engagement strategy, the forums you choose to use and the topics you need to address based on past concerns.
Once your stakeholder map is complete, start introducing stakeholders to the project. This proactive outreach allows you to have some control over the early narrative,
Listen to feedback
Residents are a valuable source of information, and their feedback should be carefully considered throughout the planning application. The people who live around your proposed development will know the area well, providing valuable insights on aspects such as public pathways, seasonal wildlife, community initiatives to support, and potential contractors to carry out later works.
These views should be taken into account and used to shape the development for the better, ultimately producing a proposal which best aligns with community interests.
BLC Energy’s Cossans development exemplifies the value of community engagement. Here, stakeholder feedback resulted in changes to the colour and placement of the BESS to limit visibility, improving public attitudes towards the proposal.
Be Transparent
Honest and open communication with your stakeholders will help you to build trust with the wider community, encourage productive discussion and reduce the risk of misinformation about the proposed development.
By maintaining transparency throughout the process and providing regular updates on key milestones and timelines, renewable developers are better positioned to gain local support and ensure lasting project success.
DON’T
Treat stakeholder engagement as a tick-box exercise
Going through the motions of stakeholder engagement fails to generate meaningful discussion or feedback for the development, resulting in a less thorough planning application and greater public dissent for the project. Residents, particularly those subject to multiple renewable energy proposals, are savvy to the developer’s community engagement obligations and astute to superficial interactions and consultation.
Taking the time to fully engage with the local community, listening to views both in favour and against the development, and reviewing the proposal based on your findings, will enhance your application and benefit your relationship with stakeholders in the long run.
Limit engagement opportunities
It may be tempting to limit the opportunity for community engagement if you anticipate negative feedback for your renewable development. Doing so, however, often only serves to increase resentment for the project.
Including all relevant stakeholders in your comms and providing multiple outlets for engagement – be it online, through community councils, 1-1 meetings and consultations – gives the community ample opportunities to review your project plans and raise concerns.
Equally, advertising your public consultation through multiple avenues, such as local newspapers, digitally, and via direct mail to ensure maximum reach, is crucial to reaching all those with a vested interest in the project.
Rush it!
Valuable community consultations take time; speaking with stakeholders, recording their feedback, and implementing changes should not be rushed to meet deadlines or limit opportunities for public criticism.
Allocating sufficient time between consultations and giving stakeholders space to review the proposals and provide feedback will achieve a more considered and useful commentary for your renewable application.
Giving the community the chance to voice their opinion, and see this actioned within the proposal, can also help to garner positive sentiment towards the development and strengthen the final proposal.
Stakeholder engagement for renewable energy developments is not simply a box to tick; it has the potential to build trust, strengthen your proposal and tackle misinformation. By being transparent with stakeholders, staying ahead of communications and actively listening to community feedback, you will not only gain public confidence in the project but also minimise dissenting voices before they gain momentum.
Does your stakeholder engagement strategy need a refresh? Get in touch with Scotland’s stakeholder engagement experts here.
And, if you’re interested in our official guide to reputational management for Scotland’s renewable sector, click here.