Action plan for campaign groups

You’ve found out that an unwelcome development is planned for your area? What should you do next? Cardiff Civic Society have developed this short guide.

Act at once

As soon as you find out about a development launch the campaign immediately.  The window for opposing is brief (generally 21 days from when the planning notice is posted), and the system is stacked against communities.

 Hitting hard and throwing everything at the campaign from the outset is essential. If the decision goes against your campaign, there is no avenue of appeal.

 Actions

•  Get your local councillors on board. Get your MS and MP on side too, although local councillors are more important.

• Contact the press and make as much noise as possible.  Provide the press with photo opportunities. Try and get a media strategy together, and have one of your group coordinate it.

• Start a social media campaign

• Write letters of objection to the planning application – individual letters work better than a template everyone copies, although bullet points for guidance are helpful and will encourage more people to write.

• Posters in windows, including those of local businesses,  can help raise early awareness. If possible, get someone to design a logo.

• Find out background information: mysociety.org - TRANSPARENCY; DEMOCRACY; COMMUNITY. They also run ‘What Do They Know’ for FOIs.

•  Set up a central storage and sharing system online.

 Petitions

 Collect 50 local signatures (must include address and email address), and submit the petition to the council ASAP. This allows you to speak at planning committee for three minutes.  You can also ask your local councillor to speak on your behalf as well.  Cardiff Civic Society can help by hosting the petition.

 Advice

• If at all possible, seek legal advice at the earliest stage possible.  Help from a pro bono is ideal, but to cover costs, set up a page such as GoFundMe.  Always ask for legal costs upfront, so that fees do not escalate.

•  Campaigners sometimes consider this as a means of challenging an unfavourable planning decision.  But be warned.  It is hugely expensive and the chances of success very small. 

•  Seek advice from Planning Aid Wales – although their resources are limited.

•  Seek advice from other campaign groups who have been in a similar situation.  Even if their campaign failed, they will have valuable advice to offer. These include Save The Northern Meadows, Sanatorium Park, Save the Rompney Castle, Friends of Gwent Levels Hendre Lakes campaign, Gwent Wildlife Trust Campaign Against Levels Motorway (CALM).