OPDC recruits community group to make sure local voices are heard

A new Community Review Group has been formed to represent local people when deciding planning outcomes in Old Oak and Park Royal.

The initiative, that empowers locals to have their say on the design of the area, is part the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation’s (OPDC) plan to ensure that new developments serves local needs both now and in the future. The group will review development proposals from the perspective of those living, working and spending time in the area and the outcome of these discussions will influence planning decisions.

The OPDC Community Review Group has been selected to reflect the diverse community that makes up Old Oak, Park Royal and its immediate surroundings. The twelve members either live or work nearby and span multiple generations, the youngest member being twenty-one years old. In return for valuable local knowledge members will gain skills in reviewing planning proposals, learn about their area and take an active role in creating change.

OPDC is leading the development and regeneration of Old Oak and Park Royal, one of Europe’s largest regeneration opportunities. An opportunity that has the potential to create 25,500 new homes and 65,000 new jobs. The interchange where High Speed 2 and Elizabeth line (formerly Crossrail) will meet is due to open in 2026. This will transform the area into a well-connected, world-class transport hub, handling 250,000 passengers a day.

OPDC seeks to maximise the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of investment in transport infrastructure to create a new sustainable neighbourhood. This will deliver housing and commercial development and create opportunities for local people.

OPDC partnered with Frame Projects to recruit the group. Frame Projects run independent design review panels for local authorities, and for other public-sector organisations including HS2 Ltd and the London Legacy Development Corporation. Earlier this year Frame also recruited members to the OPDC Place Review Group, a group of leading built environment professionals. This group will sit alongside the Community Review Group and will review planning proposals from the perspective of industry experts.

Frame will take on the management of both groups on behalf of OPDC to protect the groups independence and impartiality, allowing freedom for members to give objective feedback. The group’s outputs will then feed into decisions made by the OPDC Planning Committee and Board.

The Community Review Group is just one way that OPDC is actively engaging the local community in planning for the future of the area. The planning authority continues to deliver its proactive engagement strategy, through events, consultations and place-making activities designed to include all people from the area.

Liz Peace, OPDC Chair said:

Insights from the community are extremely important to ensure the benefits from the investment in area meets the needs of those who live and work there. It is thrilling to see the interest in the development and regeneration of Old Oak and Park Royal from local people who are invested in positive change. We hope that the Community Review Group will help strengthen OPDC’s existing relationships with local people.

Community Review Group Chair, Tony Burton said:

I am delighted to be chairing OPDC’s new Community Review Group, which will give local people a direct say in the quality of development in the Old Oak and Park Royal area. It is an opportunity for local voices to be heard and for the group’s recommendations to change the area for the better.

Community Review Group Member, Hamish Rieck said:

It is so rare that people outside of the construction industry get the chance to be involved in these sorts of things. The fact that it is the biggest regeneration project in one of the world’s largest cities makes it incredibly exciting. To play a part, no matter how small, in shaping a part of London for future generations is an enormous honour and privilege.