Hadley’s Finance Director, Brian Higgins, recently joined Mark Wyman on the Growth Alchemy podcast to talk about what community-driven development looks like in practice. At Hadley, meaningful engagement isn’t just a box to tick—it’s a fundamental part of how we plan and deliver places. Our in-house Communications team works closely with every project, ensuring that the voices of local communities help shape the future of the places we develop. Collaboration across teams is key to making this happen, and we believe open conversations, regular face-to-face engagement, and transparency are essential for truly inclusive regeneration.
The Power of Community in Regeneration – Insights from Brian Higgins, Hadley Property Group Successful regeneration isn’t just about building homes—it’s about understanding and supporting the communities they belong to. As Brian from Hadley shared, early community engagement is key to sustainable, thriving developments. The Planning Problem is one of the biggest hurdles in property development. Delays, legislative changes, and local objections often stall projects for years. But Hadley Property Group has a 100% success rate in securing planning approvals at the first committee. How? Community-first development. "We engage in a lot of community involvement very early on in our planning journey, even before we decide to buy a site." – Brian Higgins, Hadley Property Group. This approach isn’t just ethical—it’s effective. By understanding what communities need, Hadley builds relationships with local authorities and residents before submitting a single plan. This proactive approach builds trust and reduces resistance, making planning approvals smoother and more satisfying, in the knowledge that the community is getting what it requires to thrive. A testament to how aligning with local needs leads to better outcomes. The takeaway? Developers who prioritise community engagement from the start don’t just improve their chances of approval—they create developments that genuinely benefit local residents. What do you think? Should community engagement be a requirement for all large-scale developments? Full episode here: https://lnkd.in/eJWA3TW3