Client: Mid Bedfordshire City Council
URL: www.talktomidbeds.co.uk
Our key objectives were to design a user friendly website that enabled Mid Bedfordshire residents to have their say on where new homes & jobs should be located in their county.
Over 400 sites were submitted to Mid Beds District Council in 2007/2008 to be considered for future residential & commercial development. Only a very small number of these sites (between 40-70) will be developed to meet Government targets to provide 4,400 new homes in the area by 2026 and create 9,000 new jobs by 2021. Alongside meeting these targets improvements are also planned for local services & infrastructure.
To help residents view and comment on sites in their area the website displayed a district map which had parish boundaries clearly labeled. Residents visiting could click on their parish (or select it from a drop down list) to view a detailed report of potential sites in their area. This was supported by a detailed ordinance survey map illustrating the position of the developments in greater detail.
Once the user had studied potential sites in their area they had the opportunity to submit their views via an on-line survey. The information was then stored automatically in an Access Database which enabled reports to be generated instantaneously.
The results of the survey will be used to assess each sites suitability for development and eventually determine which are selected as Mid Beds District Councils preferred sites for development.
In total over 12,000 Surveys were completed and are currently being analysed.
Commendation from Mid Beds
“We found using the www.talktomidbeds.co.uk website very straightforward and Ivso are commended for its user friendliness.”