Three reasons that developers become unpopular:
“They smile and make all the right noises until securing planning consent, then they stop smiling and go very quiet (apart from the noise of the construction traffic).”
“They run public consultations, but are not held to account when people’s wishes are ignored during development.”
“They build exactly what they think they can sell without thinking about the impact on local people.”
We could not agree more. These are completely valid observations, all of which have been made by people living close to new places.
Our master developer approach is different. We look at what makes a place great from a community perspective and design it to meet that goal. At Stamford North, this means shaping a new neighbourhood that connects naturally into the town, guided by its landscape setting and long-term relationship with Stamford. But that alone is not enough.
We believe passionately that consultation is equally important after outline planning has been secured. That’s when some of the decisions that most impact local people are made.
Would a small local café be more useful than a butcher? Should new streets feel formal and civic, or quieter and more domestic? How should walking routes through Valley Park feel, and how should they link into existing paths beyond the site? Would a small local café be more useful than a butcher?
These things matter. And they should not be left entirely in the hands of developers.
That is why we introduce a Community Panel.
We built this idea on the use of the demos in ancient Athenian democracy. This group of citizens, pulled from areas of life, played a crucial role in decision-making and governance. It was seen as the foundation of democratic power, shaping laws, policies and the direction of the city-state.
Our Panel is not political. It is a representative group of local residents, initially drawn from the area around Stamford North and the wider town. Those people will be volunteers, asked to meet every quarter for open discussion about the new place. They will be asked for feedback on plans and developments, views on upcoming decisions, and to raise concerns. We will be there to explain, consult and adapt as required.
The group will have up to 20 members, ensuring a strong level of attendance at each meeting. The intention is for members to serve for a number of years, so there is continuity of relationships and understanding as Stamford North moves from plans into reality. There will, of course, be opportunities for new members to join the Panel over time.
Importantly, this is not a one-stop shop for community input. We will continue to run consultations, research and surveys. The Panel provides another layer of ongoing input and accountability for everyone involved in shaping Stamford North, including how principles set out in the Design Code are interpreted and applied over time.
We will also be developing a Youth Panel, to help ensure that younger voices are heard as the new neighbourhood takes shape.