Last week, members of the Comm Comm UK team joined City of London officers, local ward councillors and members of the Higgins construction team for a ‘Topping Out’ ceremony at the York Way estate in Islington.

We are pleased to be working on the construction communications for York Way, a City of London estate in Islington. The project is due to deliver 91 new homes for social rent, across four new buildings on the estate.

We are very excited to launch a new planning and consultation toolkit to help supercharge community consultation in line with Labour’s overhaul of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Last week, Anne and I attended the Investors in People (IIP) annual celebration at the amazing Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, to collect Comm Comm UK’s award alongside organisations from around the country who have also been accredited this year.

Election incoming! Pledges and policies update

Our political researcher Chris Sharp has examined the manifestos of the main parties and has compiled an easy-reference guide to their pledges and policies on Housing and Development.

When I first walked into the office, I had little idea on what to expect. However as the week has gone on I’ve been taught many different things about planning and communications by some great people.

Last week, Jessica and I were invited by our friends at the construction company ISG to visit the site of the new UCL Institute of Neurology and Dementia Research Institute on Grays Inn Road, London.

Paula, who joined our team in 2023, shares what it’s like being on the other side of the table

Having spent my whole career working client side, it has been extremely refreshing being on the other side of the fence. What I have noticed more than anything since working with Comm Comm UK is how much easier it is to create a successful campaign when corporate internal politics and complications that often dilute and confuse messaging, are not present. Whilst there can be lots of deliberation about what you can/can’t say, a consultant will be able to cut through all the noise to create clear, powerful content which meets the brief and project objectives.

Wow - what a year! We are just starting to wind down after a bumper autumn, where our feet just haven’t touched the ground. Many of the projects we are working on have been nudged into the end of 2023, resulting in a crazy 3-months where we have delivered (drum roll please!)

Comm Comm are thrilled to have retained our Investors in People award for the third year running, confirming we really are a company who invests in our workforce, our clients and live our company values.

Comm Comm’s events manager Natasha Hodges shares her secrets for organising public consultation events.

Consultation events are all about giving the public the chance to understand and input into what our clients are planning.

We had a team day at our Reigate office on 12 October and decided it would be a great opportunity for everyone to bring some baking and raise some money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Comm Comm’s Chris Sharp takes a look at the planning policy highlights from the Conservative Party Conference

It's hard to believe but Comm Comm UK celebrated its 10 year anniversary in July 2023. We marked this very special occasion by gathering our wonderful team, their families and our friends together on a sunshine filled day to enjoy a barbecue and some Pimms.

Anne, Hannah and Paula recently attended the fantastic Lovely World event, organised by Swale Friends of the Earth in Faversham, Kent, where local people were able to catch a glimpse of what a bright future might look like in which the ‘right’ environmental choices have been made.

On International Women’s Day, data* shows the Construction and Built Environment industry, like many sectors, still has a way to go to demonstrate true diversity. For International Women’s Day, Catherine Street talks to Comm Comm Group MD Jessica about her experiences as a woman in planning communications.

In an historic move, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced it is setting up a second ministerial base in the Midlands city of Wolverhampton. 

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick makes the bold claim this will help “spread opportunity and prosperity to every part of our nation.”  

Jessica Stewart, MD of Comm Comm UK, writes in response to the Government’s White Paper, published in August 2020, on proposed Planning system changes.

“I have read the White Paper Planning for the Future. Lots of thoughts have sprung to mind as I have worked through the pages and pillars that make up this rather exciting ideas paper.