River lands and visionary plans
Transforming the Stour Valley, Dorset
‘Landstory…excel in storytelling and creative thinking – invaluable in such public facing projects.’
Mark Holloway, Project Manager, Future Parks Accelerator
The Brief
Give people access to beautiful countryside, create a regional attraction, stimulate the local economy, and support wildlife habitats – this project has it all. But the team running the project were finding it extremely hard to manage the needs of multiple stakeholders and create a clear direction of travel.
The client came to us with a simple plea: how can we overcome the obstacles and create an achievable plan?
Our Approach
Our approach had two main stages. First, technical analysis. This included using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, stakeholder mapping, and online surveys to develop a deep understanding of the place.
Second, creating workshops and events to engage the community, as well as high-quality marketing communications to drive attendance. One element of this was producing a promotional video that we shared with the 1,000+ Stour Valley Park mailing list.
The Challenges
There will always be people who oppose change. Often their concerns are born out of love for the place. Really listening to their worries and, hopefully, bringing them on board is one of the most important aspects of a project like this.
We helped to bring together groups who don’t usually communicate. For example, we held meetings where the council flood risk team sat down with farmers and residents. Fostering interdisciplinary communication in this way helps to overcome the siloed thinking that can obstruct ambitious projects.
The Outcome
Our work raised the project’s profile, gave it fresh momentum, and secured additional funding. Bridging the gap between the ardent supporters and the sceptics brought the vision several strides closer to reality. The project won the appreciation of the National Trust who provided funding for a project manager to oversee the initiative going forward.
The Future
The Stour Valley Park project offers a potential blueprint to transform river corridors into thriving places for wildlife and people. To keep moving towards that vision, the project team plan to secure more funding through the government’s Landscape Recovery scheme. We hope very much to be involved.
The project in numbers
Survey submissions
Landowners, farmers and developers engaged in the conversation
Calls / workshops with project partners
Public lectures
Films
Website
Mark Holloway
Project Manager
Future Parks Accelerator
Landstory was the perfect partner to develop our complex brief for the development of a landscape scale regional park along the River Stour, Dorset.
From the outset it was clear that they were inspired by our ambition and vision; and with their network of partners and collaborators, Simon Brown and his team brought a multidisciplinary approach – perfect for engaging with a wide range of public and private landowners, statutory and non-statutory organisations, and individuals.
Landstory brought people together through events and gatherings to help us navigate the human complexity which inevitably arises from such ambitious and sensitive projects.
The task of laying a framework for the sustainable delivery of an ‘at scale’ public asset in addition to enhancing the landscape was completed within the two-year deadline.
Landstory know how to interpret a project and excel in story-telling and creative thinking – invaluable in such public facing projects.