Film Aimed at Improving Public Involvement in Planning and Landscape Change

Professor David Miller of the Macaulay Institute explains: “The Macaulay Institute has produced the “Putting People in the Planning Picture” film to explain how individuals could make a real difference in influencing the decisions made regarding their surroundings. When it comes to the planning process, members of the public often feel that although the outcome of an application often directly affects them and the area in which they live, they are not given the opportunity to contribute and have no real control over the decisions made.

“Encouraging communities to become more closely involved in the decision making process is an important step. But in order to do this effectively, it is essential that they have a credible impression of how their world might look in the future. The Macaulay Institute's Virtual Landscape Theatre, the first mobile unit of its kind in the UK, uses cutting edge virtual reality technology to recreate landscapes and therefore allow people to visualise and fully assess the impacts of a proposed change. This is a vital tool which provides members of the public with a sense of informed knowledge of the affect of any decisions which will alter the environment in which they live.”

Professor Miller continues: “”Putting People in the Planning Picture” demonstrates how the technology provided by the Virtual Landscape Theatre, is moving forward how the public can engage in land use planning, and voice their opinions on the decisions which shape the landscapes around them. Gaining a greater understanding of the public perception benefits the planning process significantly and paints a much more vivid picture of what is valued in the landscape and what isn't.”

The film can be viewed from the internet at www.macaulay.ac.uk/planning