Public consultation done properly
In 2023 I was brought in to support communications for EDF’s proposed 199-acre solar farm near Trelion. My focus was on local engagement, helping people understand the project, ask questions early, and share their views. Working alongside Cadno Communications, I shaped and delivered an approach rooted in clarity, inclusion and local knowledge.
This was a sensitive project, with land use, infrastructure and public interest all at play. My role was to build trust and make the process feel open and accessible, not corporate or remote. That meant adapting the message for different audiences, staying available to respond, and making sure no group felt left out of the conversation.
Solutions & Approach
I worked closely with EDF and Cadno to support a joined-up strategy that made space for conversation. A dedicated project webpage was launched, along with a feedback inbox and an independent resident survey. These tools gave people multiple ways to ask questions, share views and stay informed as the consultation progressed.
I managed the consultation events on the ground and led liaison with local councillors and parish representatives. I also supported media engagement, helped coordinate household letters and postcards, and worked with the wider team to promote the project through posters, local press and social media.
Outcomes & Impact
The result was a process people could trust. Communications were timely, clear and respectful, and EDF had the tools they needed to demonstrate meaningful engagement. There was no drama, no jargon, just steady, straightforward comms that helped make a complex project easier to understand and easier to talk about.
After the Trelion planning submission, I was re-engaged to support a second solar farm proposal in South East Cornwall. That work is now underway, using the same approach to local engagement. A planning application is due to be submitted in autumn 2025, and I continue to support the team as the project develops.
