Understanding the politics of Planning
Planning is political.
We navigate the politics to de-risk your application
Experienced practitioners helping promoters, councils and public bodies navigate political behaviour, governance conditions and planning system pressures.
Consultation and engagement designed to withstand political, community and reputational scrutiny for all types of applications, DCOs and policy adoptions.
– Head of Planning, Council
“Helped us communicate a complex local plan clearly and accessibly to a wide range of audiences.”
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“An excellent operator with rare expertise in politics, stakeholder engagement and communications.”
– Engagement Director, London
Strategic services for an increasingly political planning system
We support public and private sector clients in planning and regeneration with planning consultation and communications for planning applications, major regeneration schemes and planning policy including Local Plans. We combine political engagement, public consultation and stakeholder engagement so issues and risks are surfaced early, objections are reduced and officers, councillors and planning committees have clear consultation evidence when they make decisions.
Tailored services for your project
Strategic stakeholder engagement, consultation and communications
We provide a complete set of planning consultation and engagement services so you can choose the support you need at each stage. From early consultation strategy and risk assessment to planning application consultations, stakeholder and political engagement, Local Plan consultations, digital engagement and strategic communications we make sure your process is transparent, defensible and aligned with local politics.
Consultation Strategy & Risk
Early advice to scope your consultation, assess political and stakeholder risk and agree the right approach so your planning and communications strategy is clear, defensible and aligned with policy and local expectations.
Stakeholder & Political Engagement
Detailed stakeholder mapping, political insight, relationship management and targeted advocacy with councillors and key influencers to build high-level support.
Planning Application Consultations
Comprehensive pre- and post-application consultations that surface issues early, build critical community support and strengthen your submission for officers and planning committee.
Digital & Creative Engagement
Best-in-class online platforms, interactive surveys and compelling visual content to make planning consultation more accessible, engaging and representative.
Local Plan & Policy Consultations
Specialist support for local planning authorities. Helping councils deliver transparent, inclusive and legally robust Local Plan consultations that build community buy-in and withstand political and legal scrutiny.
Strategic Communications
Development of clear, credible planning messages and proactive media strategies to manage reputational risk and shape the public narrative around your scheme or Local Plan.
Ready to stress test your consultation?
For developers, promoters and local planning authorities
Book a free 30 minute planning consultation review
Bring a live planning application, regeneration scheme or Local Plan and get experienced senior level advice on your consultation strategy, materials and risks.
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Spot gaps in your engagement plan
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Sense-check messages and materials
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Identify political, legal and reputational risks
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Leave with clear next steps
Latest thinking on planning & politics
COALFACE Insights
Get planning and political insight tailored for developers, councils and built environment professionals. At the Coalface explains what new policy and reform mean in practice and shares practical lessons on stakeholder engagement, public consultation, Local Plans, planning committees and local government politics so you can plan projects with fewer surprises and stronger outcomes.
Why clients work with us
The COALFACE difference: planning, politics and people
Coalface Engagement exists to connect the politics of planning with genuine community engagement. Led by Rowan Cole a former councillor, council officer and long standing consultant to developers we bring senior experience from every side of the planning table to every project.
Senior experience on every project
Your work is led by senior specialists not juniors. We bring together experience from elected office, local authority planning and consultancy so you get clear advice and realistic options from people who understand how planning decisions are actually made.
Inside knowledge of local government
We know how officers, councillors and committees work because we have been in those roles ourselves. That insight shapes how we design consultation, frame issues and prepare you for the political conversations that decide planning outcomes.
Hands on at the coalface
We do not just write strategies and disappear. We are in the room at exhibitions and workshops speaking to residents, community groups and decision makers so we can cut through the noise, build trust and bring back insight that genuinely moves projects forward.
Meet the founder, Rowan Cole
A 360 view of planning, politics and people
Rowan Cole founded Coalface Engagement Ltd in 2018 after more than fifteen years at the coalface of local government and development. He has sat in every seat around the planning table which means your project is guided by someone who understands how decisions really get made.
The councillor's perspective
Elected to Elmbridge Borough Council in 2008, Rowan has first hand experience of party politics, resident pressure and the committee dynamics that shape planning decisions. He understands what members need to feel confident saying 'yes'.
The officer's perspective
Time spent working inside local authority planning teams gives Rowan insight into case officer pressures, policy requirements and statutory processes. He knows how applications and Local Plans are assessed and what a defensible consultation record looks like.
The consultant's perspective
Nearly two decade's advising developers and councils on complex schemes and Local Plans has honed Rowan’s ability to join up politics, planning and communication. He builds teams around each project and works alongside you from early strategy through consultation, committee and beyond.
If you want your planning strategy shaped by someone who has seen your application from every side of the table book a 30 minute call
Selected experience
