The trouble with public engagement is that it is not an exact science.

Whilst formal consultation is relatively structured and has a definable beginning and end – with clear milestones at each stage, much of what’s asked for today goes beyond this – into the less precise areas of public engagement.

Planning is one area where this is evident. Recent legislation asks Planning Authorities to prepare Statements of Community Involvement, and right now, there is much head-scratching as to how far to raise expectations. For the truth is that such involvement is a little like health or happiness – a potentially unattainable goal – but the closer you get to your objective, the higher the costs! And how do you ever know when you’ve done enough public engagement? There are always some people who claim that there hasn’t been enough.