Case study
Headley Court, Surrey
Integrated retirement community
The challenge
Audley Villages proposed a new integrated retirement community on a Green Belt site at Headley Court, a Grade II listed Jacobethan country house. There was a previous refusal on the site prior to DevComms' involvement, and local stakeholders were deeply sceptical after what they perceived as poor engagement by the previous applicant.
Our approach
DevComms built trust with key local stakeholders through regular on-site meetings, workshops and project updates with the local Parish Council, residents' action group and local estate association. Community open days offered site tours of the listed house and grounds, with many locals visiting for the first time.
The outcome
The scheme was approved by Mole Valley District Council in February 2023. Local stakeholders who had opposed the previous scheme became supporters after seeing genuine responsiveness to their concerns, building trust and collaboration.
Working to deliver an over-55's accommodation scheme on a site in the Green Belt was a real challenge. DevComms understood that the key to gaining planning approval was proactive community engagement and fostering excellent relationships with key local stakeholders.
