• Deadline for applications 5.00pm on Friday 01 December, 2023
• Call for local people to apply to be part of the LLDC Community Review Panel (CRP)
• Members of the Community Review Panel will receive payment for each formal review they attend, to a value of £27 per two-hour session

The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) is recruiting for more local people to join their Community Review Panel (CRP), so they can give their views and comment on plans for future development.

In the coming years, there will be significant change across the LLDC area, continuing the regeneration of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and its surrounding neighbourhoods within the London Boroughs of Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest.

The Community Review Panel plays an independent, advisory role in LLDC’s planning work, considering how new development meets local needs. Panel feedback may also be sought on draft planning guidance, in addition to any formal community consultation that would usually take place.

In January 2023 LLDC launched the CRP to give a further voice to local people in the design of proposed developments in their area. The CRP has an independent, advisory role, and has commented on nine publicly significant schemes to date, ranging from residential buildings to a pedestrian and cycle bridge, hotels to industrial workspaces. The panel will continue to support the LLDC’s commitment to achieving high-quality design.

The Community Review Panel comments on pre-application proposals to help ensure that they are of the highest possible design quality, and will meet the needs of people living, working, studying and visiting the area now and in the future. Panel members generally meet once a month, sometimes twice, (from 6.30pm to 8.30pm) to discuss schemes and give their views. These discussions are turned into a formal report which the developer will need to consider, and also feeds into the planning decisions made by the LLDC. The panel’s recommendations will be fully considered, as a formal part of the planning decision making process.

The Community Review Panel currently has 12 members, and we want to include more people. We are looking for people of all backgrounds and ages (18 or over). We would particularly like to increase the representation of women, people with disabilities or health conditions, 18-24 year-olds, people from Newham, and the student community. We’re keen to have people on the panel who know the area well and who want to positively influence its future – whether you are a resident, student, employer, employee, or regular visitor. You do not need knowledge of planning, or experience in architecture. Elected members and local authority employees are not eligible to apply.

You do not need experience or knowledge of planning or architecture, and should not be a built environment professional already. Panel members will attend an induction session including training before their first review.

We’re looking for a broad cross-section of members from across the community who:

• have an interest in influencing emerging new development proposals in your local area
• bring a strong understanding of the local area and people’s needs
• can provide constructive advice from a community perspective on proposals for development and change
• will contribute in meetings, collaborate and respect the contribution of others

Anthony Hollingsworth, Director of Planning Policy and Decisions, at London Legacy Development Corporation, said:

“We want to listen and understand the views of people living, working and studying in and around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and to give local people an independent role in shaping and advising on new development.  The Community Review Panel has a really vital role to play in maximising local opportunities and improving the quality of schemes which are proposed to change our existing and emerging neighbourhoods.”

Members of the Community Review Panel will receive payment for each formal review they attend, to a value of £27 per two-hour session. This can be in cash or vouchers, depending on individual preference. In addition, reasonable expenses for travel and other necessary costs will be covered.

The deadline for applications is 5.00pm on Friday 1 December, 2023. If shortlisted, you may be invited to a selection workshop with other candidates. For more information visit https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/planning-authority/making-an-application/community-review-panel

Frame Projects is responsible for recruiting and managing the panel, to make sure that it is independent, properly briefed and able to effectively communicate its views to the Legacy Corporation. They will, along with LLDC, provide panel members with the support needed for their role.