Plans to expand the world-famous tennis championships in Wimbledon have hit the net after the local council recently rejected the application.
The All-England Lawn Tennis Club want to build 39 new courts – including an 8,000 seat stadium – close to the existing grounds in London, but have faced fierce public pushback, with one petition against it signed by more than 16,000 people.
It is a case that demonstrates the importance of stakeholder management – bringing all those who will be affected by a development to the table so they understand your goals and feel part of the process.
Here, Dusan Durdevic, Associate Director at Urban Thinking, explains the role stakeholder management plays in any successful project.
The situation
I have been following the fascinating story of Wimbledon’s expansion plans from the beginning and have been staggered by the strength of feeling the proposed development has garnered in the local community.
The plans have faced a bitter public backlash from day one, with Wandsworth Council and both local MPs among those in opposition.
However, when you look into it, the project isn’t without its benefits to the public – including the creation of a new 23-acre park and at least seven grass courts that would be available to the public in the summer.
On the face of it, this is far from a simple case of green spaces being paved over.
Some are all for the plan.
Richard Higgs, whose house overlooks the site, said in an interview with the Evening Standard that it is set to be “the best park in London” and that “nobody’s been able to walk round this park in at least 100 years”.
But with so many people in the local area opposed to the proposals, the goodwill the tournament has fostered over the years has, so far, not been enough to green light the project.
Following the local council’s rejection, it will now come down to the deputy mayor of London to decide the outcome.
Getting the community involved
Sensitive large scale projects like this, affecting thousands of local people, need careful stakeholder liaison and community engagement from day one to stand the best chance of being successful.
Planning should not be in a vacuum and careful consideration must be given to the negative effects – or perceived negative effects – of any development.
It is crucial the community are involved before plans are put together. They should be asked how a development would affect them and what may mitigate their disruption.
Meeting with local councillors, MPs and decision makers early so they have input in the scheme is also important, helping shape the scheme from the start.
These relationships and the information gathered from the local community should form the backbone of any good development.
With careful consideration of an urban development’s impact, reasons to oppose a plan can be addressed and mitigated so that, when it comes to giving it the rubber stamp, you have the community on your side too.
How we can help
At Urban Thinking, we know the importance of stakeholder management and the role that building strong relationships with local residents plays in developing urban areas.
Through detailed surveying of residents and local organisations, we can create an up-to-date and in-depth picture of the area impacted by the future development.
Our dedicated team ensure those living in the community receive copies of all written documentation and marketing materials, giving them a clear understanding of how the development will affect them and what is being done to mitigate any disruption.
With strong stakeholder liaison and close community involvement from the start, projects can grow as part of a community.
For more information on Urban Thinking and our stakeholder liaison services, see here.
