Your New Town Hall, Brixton

Client: Muse Developments and Lambeth Council
Location: London
Discipline(s):

GL Hearn’s Strategic Communications team was appointed by Muse Developments and Lambeth Council on the ‘Your New Town Hall’ (YNTH) project: the consolidation of 14 old office buildings into a new civic building and refurbished town hall and the redevelopment of three surplus sites to deliver a mix of new homes across buildings up to 14 storeys. Three detailed planning applications (included a Listed Building consent application) were submitted in March 2015.

Key challenges

This major mixed-use scheme, in close proximity to existing residential communities, was a complex development to communicate. In particular, there were challenges associated with a 14 storey building close to the sensitive heritage asset of the listed town hall as well as homes and businesses.

This was set against the backdrop of a number of other regeneration schemes within the area which were also being consulted upon, not all of them being supported locally.

Results

As we were working on a council project, a robust and inclusive approach was essential. We conducted an intensive, multi-staged, multi-channelled and multi-audience consultation with a special emphasis on encouraging minority group involvement. Neighbouring residents’ meetings were ongoing throughout.

Planning permission was granted in autumn 2015 and GL Hearn had an ongoing appointment to set up construction management forums for local residents, businesses and stakeholders.