Property

THE CLIENT:

Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed specialist residential landlord, acquired the former Gateshead College campus, which was to be transformed into an environmentally forward-thinking residential scheme.

The planned redevelopment of the a 10-acre site included a mix of apartments, retirement homes and houses ranging from five-bedroom detached to three and four-bedroom mews and terraced properties. It also included the restoration of the historic Victorian villa, North Dene House.

 

THE CHALLENGE:

  • Securing planning consent for the 10-acre site
  • Changing negative opinions regarding the perceived controversial redevelopment
  • Highlighting the key benefits of the scheme to the local community
  • Showcasing the environmentally forward-thinking scheme
  • Particularly emphasising the sensitivity in restoration of the Victorian villa

 

THE WORK:

  • Providing a robust media management strategy to ensure positive coverage and proactively monitor and counter objector activity
  • Rolling out a strong multi-media campaign to promote the proposed new development, including national property and business media, as well as regional media
  • Working alongside the local council to engage with BME audiences and hard-to-reach communities
  • Planning and hosting a number of public consultation events
  • Mailshots to local people, as well as telephone conversations, to gauge community views

 

THE RESULTS:

  • Given the work undertaken by GDR to engage with the local community, the Inspector recommended approval of the plans
  • Positive coverage in key target media, highlighting the scheme benefits
  • Grainger logo
    Date
    November 18, 2015
    THE CLIENT: Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed specialist residential landlord, acquired the former Gateshead College campus, which was to be transformed into an environmentally forward-thinking […]