ABSTRACT
This chapter presents interviews of representatives from a range of local groups around the country to discuss their experiences of participation programmes, which include standard consultation exercises, lengthy co-design programmes, neighbourhood planning processes and small-scale collaborative projects. Excerpts from those discussions are grouped roughly under common themes, and are intended as anecdotal illustration of the range of experiences rather than a representative cross-section. The comments suggest that while local groups are willing and able to collaborate, there’s often a reticence on the part of designers and developers to bring them more fully into the process – or sometimes not invite them at all. There was a sense of frustration, however, at the lack of opportunities to offer these skills and expert knowledge of local issues. People can make a much more useful contribution in getting their views across if they’ve had a chance to check them out with other local people who know the place they’re talking about.
