Consultations
The team at MCE have an impressive track record for managing successful Pre-Application Community Consultations for both residential and commercial planning applications. Our consultants have significant experience working on regionally significant, major and local applications. MCE specialises in public affairs and the roll out and design of community consultation strategies in support of significant or contentious planning applications. We have developed a comprehensive suite of tools to facilitate more effective public affairs, lobbying and community and stakeholder engagement. To achieve outcomes for our clients we maintain healthy relationships with elected representatives, broadcast and daily media editors, local editors and journalists, key stakeholders in Non-Departmental Public Bodies, and leading civic society organisations. We have a proud reputation of managing successful consultations, such as the case studies listed below. The following Pre-Application Community Consultations are currently open for feedback.
Consultation Case Studies
MCE conducted extensive stakeholder engagement before commencing the 12 week Pre-Application Community Consultation process to bring Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre retailer, to the popular retail and leisure destination, The Junction. This store will be the largest garden centre in Northern Ireland, from the UK's largest garden centre operator. This project received planning approval from Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council's planning committee in March 2022, and the store is due to open in Autumn 2023.
MCE was responsible for the Pre-Application Community Consultation and stakeholder engagement for South Bank Square's proposal for c. 170 new family homes including an equipped children's play area and areas of open space, at the site of the former Tyrone County Hospital in Omagh. The application received approval at Fermanagh & Omagh District Council's planning committee in March 2023.
This exciting proposal by Alterity Investments was to refurbish and reconfigure the former BHS site on Castle Lane to deliver a new high quality retail and leisure accommodation in the heart of Belfast's city centre. MCE conducted the stakeholder engagement work and the Pre-Application Community Consultation element of this proposal, which received planning approval at Belfast City Council's planning committee in June 2022.
Family-owned specialist joinery business, Woodmarque, sought to extend their existing premises just outside Dungannon to meet the ongoing demand for their products. MCE managed the Pre-Application Community Consultation process, and also facilitated engagement with key stakeholders throughout this application. Mid Ulster District Council's planning committee granted approval for this development in January 2023.
MCE managed the Pre-Application Community Consultation element of the proposal for a new standalone c. 30,000 sq ft retail store with a garden centre for popular retailer, Home Bargains. This proposal represented a significant investment in this area of Ballymena, and will bring with it the creation of new retail jobs when the store opens. Planning approval for this proposal was granted by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council's planning committee in February 2023.
Clonrose Developments submitted an application for the former St Clare's Convent and Primary School in Newry, to deliver 89 social and affordable homes and a new community hub, with the sympathetic restoration of a listed chapel building. MCE ran the Pre-Application Community Consultation process in tandem with extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the project, which was granted approval by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's planning committee in March 2023.