Securing planning permission for Europe's largest waste PFI, Viridor

The 25-year, £3.2 billion Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority's (GMWDA) PFI Waste Management Contract is the largest of its kind in Europe.

The Brief

Remarkable was asked to provide public consultation support for Viridor and John Laing Infrastructure Limited (Viridor/Laing) as a preferred bidder for the GMWDA contract.

Planning permission was required for 34 proposals and 23 separate applications for new and improved waste management facilities on a wide range of sites across Greater Manchester.

One such application was for improvements to Viridor's Household Waste Recycling Centre at Adswood Road, Stockport. The proposals created a larger facility with a new layout, encouraging recycling and waste separation while reducing congestion.

To help achieve planning permission Remarkable had to overcome a number of issues locally, including initial objections from neighbouring residents, correcting misapprehensions about the proposals and mobilising silent supporters.

The Solution

Ahead of designing a programme, Remarkable first conducted a full political and stakeholder audit. This research detailed all key stakeholders within the local community, including local councillors, third party groups and neighbouring residents.

Based on this research, a tailored public consultation strategy was then drawn up. This included:

• Holding a public exhibition displaying the initial proposals. The exhibition was preceded by a special preview session for local councillors, allowing them to view the proposals without having to deal with constituents' enquiries at the same time. The preview session allowed councillors to ask questions of the project team in confidence
• Tailored comment forms available for all attendees to provide their feedback
• Promoting the positive feedback in the local media
• Issuing a fully designed committee brief to all members leading up to the decision
• A freephone information line number and email address available throughout the course of the project for stakeholders to make enquiries and provide feedback
• A dedicated website containing information about the proposals, a ‘frequently asked questions' section, and an online comment form. The website was regularly updated throughout the course of the application

Results

For Adswood Road, Remarkable was able to demonstrate to the ward members and committee members that there was a great deal of support for the proposals from residents. Holding the public exhibition with well planned display material and having the information line available throughout the length of the project meant residents concerns were addressed from the outset.