Planning for Real illustration of 3D model

Supporting communities to bring about change and shape their neighbourhoods

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We are experts in community engagement. We work with and support communities so that they have a real say in what happens in their neighbourhoods.

We provide training and project delivery support so that communities can use Planning for Real® and our other techniques to develop and run programmes of community-led engagement. The ethos underpinning all our methods is that they are highly visual, tactile, participatory and community-led.

With an unrivalled 25 year track record we have designed and facilitated community engagement programmes on diverse scales and issues.

See our track record

St. Peter’s Ward Physical Activity Project, Wolverhampton

The PFR Unit was appointed by WCVA (Wolverhampton Voluntary & Community Action) in September 2022 to deliver a two-stage community engagement process for this project, with the support of TLC College, a community organisation based in St Peter’s Ward. More »

Carmarthenshire County Council – Tyisha Ward, Llanelli (Apr 2018 – Feb 2019)

The Tyisha Steering Group wished to engage with, hear the views of, and involve the community of the Tyisha Ward in developing regeneration plans and strategies that would improve the physical environment of the area and address the socio-economic issues some members of the community were facing More »

Thurrock Local Plan

The PFR Unit supported Officers from Thurrock Council’s Growth & Strategy Section of their Planning Department More »

Sheffield University: Department of Urban Studies and Planning

Every year since 2022, the Planning for Real Unit has delivered two half day sessions on the Planning for Real methodology for students on the Planning Masters Course at Sheffield University.  More »

Rooftop Housing – Manor Road, Middle Littleton

Rooftop Housing Group own a number of properties, including a block of 5 semi-detached houses, in Manor Road, Middle Littleton which are known as Airey Houses.  More »

PFR Training in Reykjavik, Iceland

Margaret Wilkinson, Head of the Planning for Real Unit, was invited by the Reykjavik City Planning Office to deliver our 2 day Planning for Real Training Course. More »

Derbyshire Dales District Council – Hurst Farm, Matlock

To look at the many complex underlying issues on the estate which include the physical infrastructure (parking, road surfacing, green spaces and maintenance), as well as the social issues such as health, fuel poverty, education and employment. More »

Jaywick Vision and Action Plan

Jaywick is a seaside village in the Tendring District of Essex some 2 miles west of Clacton-on-Sea.  It was constructed in the 1930’s as a holiday resort for Londoners but over time has become one of the most deprived areas of the country.  More »

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