Participation, presentation and review - Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment - page 171

where many of these techniques have been used in practice. The effectiveness of these
techniques can vary widely. One UK local authority planner gives his views:

It is normal practice for controversial cases to be referred to a panel of
committee members for a site visit. Frequently at these meetings the
public attend and are invited to make comments. Often the applicant is
encouraged to prepare a small exhibition of the proposals so that
interested parties have the opportunity to examine the project in more
detail and opinions can be exchanged. This practice gives the developer
the chance to experience how local people feel about the proposal. How
far this may cause a change in the details of the project

Table 6.2 Methods of public participation and their
effectiveness

Provide
information

Cater for
special
interests

Two-way
communication

Impact
decision-
making

Explanatory meeting,
slide/film presentation

½ ½

Presentation to small
groups

½

Public display, exhibit,
models

- - -

Press release, legal notice ½ - - -

Written comment - ½ ½ ½

Poll ½ -

Field office ½ -

Site visit - -

Advisory committee, task
force, community
representative

½ ½

Working groups of key
actors

½

Citizen review board ½ ½

Public inquiry ½ ½

Litigation ½ - ½

Demonstration protests,
riots

- - ½

(Adapted from Westman 1985.)