How should the local community be consulted and involved in larger schemes?

• Allow time and resources when planning your scheme for effective dissemination of information, local discussions and responses, and demonstrate that community feedback has been taken into account. Larger sites may require the submission of a statement of community involvement.
• Draw upon existing community resources, such as voluntary groups, tenant associations and community forums.
• Ensure there are opportunities and support structures for engaging local people at all stages of the development.
• Keep key individuals and community groups informed of progress, particularly if there are setbacks and delays.
• Ensure proposals take account of the local Community Strategy.

What measures should be taken in order to stimulate a diverse community and a varied local economy?

• Develop properties which have a mix of tenures, including shared ownership. Street-level mixing is preferable to separating into different zones.
• Provide for a range of households, e.g. families, single people, elderly and special needs.
• Be aware of local authority requirements for a percentage of affordable housing to be provided on larger sites.
• Facilitate self-help and self-build initiatives wherever possible. Self-builders will pay specific attention to detail, and insist on good design and maintenance.
• Ensure ease of access to and through the site by all sections of the community (esp. disabled).
• Provide a range of accommodation sizes and types to give freedom to expand/contract according to changing circumstances.
• Promote local exchange and trading systems (LETS) and community enterprise schemes.
• Consider sponsoring local skills training, particularly in association with construction and maintenance programmes.
• Use local suppliers and services wherever possible.

How can the development contribute to improving community safety?

• Examine ways of reducing the risk of crime through site layout and design features such as:
• safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
• planting schemes that give defensive space and deter intruders.
• positioning of windows for supervision of communal areas and car parks.
• Obtain appropriate Home Office recommendations and consult with the local police Architectural Liaison Officer (ALO). Contact ALO at Notts Police HQ at Sherwood Lodge (Tel: 0115 967 2617). note: Some Districts and the City Council employ a Crime Prevention Officer who can provide safety advice in respect of all types of building.
• Use design techniques to reduce accidents both inside and outside of buildings.
• Work with local authorities to implement the findings of their community safety strategy and action plans.

How can other community benefits best be provided?

• Provide access to space for growing food (such as allotments).
• Provide safe, well designed public spaces and well-managed community buildings.
• Provide informal recreational space for teenagers and young adults.
• Be aware that government departments, local authorities, registered social landlords, local regeneration companies / partnerships etc can secure community benefits through their contracts and other agreements (such as creating new job and training opportunities).