Effective stakeholder engagement in the planning application process of new build major construction projects in Scotland, United Kingdom

Complex in nature, the Planning Application (PA) process of construction projects requires effective Stakeholder Engagement (SE). Looking at a “project” holistically, SE within the construction context has received good attention throughout the years. Little emphasis has been placed on what is considered effective stakeholder communication, preferred methods, and perceived stakeholder significance when it comes to the PA stage. The authors surveyed participants from complex new build construction projects in Glasgow, Scotland. The research outlined the key stakeholders involved in the PA process of the construction sites, examined the communication links between them and further investigated their preferred methods of communication. Further, the 58 participants were asked to determine the level of influence of each of the involved stakeholders in relation to 4 different aspects of the PA process-Planning, Design, Programme and Cost. The most common communication issues were highlighted along with their causes and potential preventative measures. The study contributes to the underdeveloped PA process stakeholder engagement niche, presenting structured stakeholder tiers, based on their influence towards each aspect of the PA process. In addition, it determines primary and secondary success factors for effective stakeholder engagement and provides recommendations for tackling the communication challenges during PA.