Hyde Park Area, Belgravia

Location: Central London (Hyde Park area)
Client: Private developer
Services: Stakeholder engagement, community consultation, heritage-sensitive facilitation

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Overview

Founder, Rowan Cole led an extensive engagement and communications programme for the partial redevelopment of a Grade II listed building in one of London’s most sensitive heritage settings.

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The scheme required careful navigation between heritage bodies, residents, councillors and statutory consultees, ensuring that changes respected the architectural character and local context.

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Context and challenges

• A prominent listed building immediately adjoining Hyde Park

• Strong local interest in design, views, façade treatment and construction impacts

• Multiple statutory stakeholders including heritage bodies and planning specialists

• A need for high transparency and trust due to concerns around noise, works logistics and long-term stewardship

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Our role

Rowan designed and delivered a tailored engagement programme that included:

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• A dedicated community steering group to review emerging proposals

• Public exhibitions, drop-ins and digital engagement rounds

• Targeted dialogue with amenity societies, conservation groups and local residents

• Clear, accessible communication of technical constraints and heritage considerations

• Issue tracking and detailed reporting for planners and the client team

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Outcomes

• A collaborative environment where feedback genuinely influenced design refinements

• Reduced risk of objections at application stage due to early, structured engagement

• Stronger relationships between the client, conservation groups and the local community

• A robust audit trail demonstrating how the scheme responded sensitively to heritage, context and neighbour concerns