EP supported the ambitions to revitalise the rail experience for the people of Rugby through the preparation of an outline planning application for a new railway station to provide a new access to the local and national railway network and support Rugby’s growing population and business community.
Initially we prepared a request for an EIA Screening Opinion to inform the scope, extent and nature of the information required to be submitted in support of the outline planning application. The council opined that the proposed development did not require an EIA. To inform the RfSO we employed a variety of information-gathering strategies, ensuring that we had an evidence base to draw on. This included site visits and desk-based assessments providing an understanding of the physical, environmental, and planning land-use constraints.
Our team of CIPR professionals then undertook the strategic management and delivery of a pre-planning public and stakeholder engagement. Working with officers from the council, the rail industry and project team our services dovetailed with those available in house from the Client. The public engagement demonstrated significant support from the local community for a station at this location.
We then facilitated the successful collation and submission of the Outline Planning Application and authoring of a Statement of Community Engagement aligning with broader spatial planning goals and community needs.