We understand the importance of dialogue between politics and business. We have a solid track record helping property clients, local authorities and corporate organisations to build productive relationships with the Government, Opposition, and leaders of local councils.

The BPPA Local Government and Planning Unit was established in early 2008 to create a specialist offering to our clients in both local government and the property industry. We offer clients a wealth of experience and expertise, drawing our consultants from across the political parties, parliament, local government and the media, including former councillors and special advisers.

Politics & Planning

“Thanks to BPPA we have secured planning consent in record time for some really exciting and prestigious developments in London. The BPPA team are fun to work with and deliver results”
Sean Ellis, Berkeley Group

The greatest challenge currently facing developers is the risk of uncertainty in the future of the planning process and time delays in gaining permission. We work with developers and investors to identify the political challenges and use our expertise and networks to ensure planning success.

We work as an integral part of your project team, combining technical knowledge of the planning system with an unrivalled understanding of local and national politics.

In support of our clients’ planning applications, we specialise in:

• Analysing the political structure and dynamic of the local planning authority
• Building working relationships with politicians at local, regional and national level;
• Strategic advice on the content and approach of consultation;
• Managing local consultations at the pre-application and planning stages
  including maintaining project website and production of all collateral;
• Production of Statement of Community Involvement
• Political strategy for addressing objections and potential changes
• Ensuring fair and accurate reporting in the media 

Our networks 

“The combination of BPPA’s experience in managing large-scale public consultations and their extensive network of political contacts have made them an invaluable part of our project team”
Brandon O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer, TAG Farnborough Airport

Our broad range of clients have exposure to our network of key politicians and advisers, and our expertise enables us to deliver the best services for our clients, including:

• Targeted high level political engagement strategy; 
• Audience specific message development to establish who you are, what you do and why you should be a trusted partner;
• Profile raising.

We frequently host small dinners and informal workshops for our clients with senior politicians and advisers. Our guests over the last year have included:

Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP: Minister of State for Housing
Kulveer Ranger: Director of Transport Policy to Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London
Bob Neill MP: Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government
Councillor Paul Carter: Leader of Kent County Council
Ken Livingstone: Former Labour Mayor of London
David Lunts: former GLA Executive Director of Policy and Partnerships, now London Regional Director, Homes and Communities Agency
Len Duvall AM: London Assembly Member for Greenwich and Lewisham, and Leader of the GLA Labour Group.
Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh: Leader, LB Hammersmith and Fulham

Contact: 
Emma Waterfall, Director
ewaterfall@bell-pottinger.co.uk
020 7861 3812