The referendum question - does public participation affect neighbourhood plan turnouts and outcomes?

摘要

Our investigation sought to identify whether participation methods affected referendum turnout. On the face of it, one might expect that the participation methods used in the development of the plan would have impacted upon turnout, if maybe not on the result. However, we have not found this to be the case, which supports the conclusions of Brown and Chin's study. Key messages from our work to date are outlined below: 1.The engagement process provides the opportunity to help with local buy-in and support for a Neighbourhood Plan's vision and objectives, at least for those that choose to engage. There are potential ongoing benefits from improving engagement and understanding of planning in the community for the qualifying body - and, by association, for the local planning authority for future plans and community consultation. But while public participation is generally perceived as positive, there are limitations. First, lower levels of engagement may be apparent among groups not strongly motivated by a particular issue, as it is harder to identify fellow members and thus organise into a coherent group and to persuade people to become involved. Secondly, decision-making by the 'local community' can be skewed towards the wants of a sub-set of that community without recourse to wider societal benefits.