Objectives

• The Source was initially appointed by BPA in 2008 to help manage the stakeholder communications surrounding the proposed rebuilding of the Buncefield Oil terminal following an explosion and fire that destroyed the site in December 2005
• The team continued to manage the stakeholder communications and support the redevelopment team during the rebuild phase and has been involved in a number of other projects for the business since that date.

Key Activity

• A communications programme was put in place that would engage all relevant stakeholders as BPA sought planning permission to rebuild the site.  Stakeholders included the local community, MPs, local council representatives and local businesses as well as Competent Authorities
• Activities ranged from door to door leaflet drops, building a community website through to arranging one to one briefings with the local MPs, media and council executive teams
• Providing on hand support during the rebuild to manage and monitor issues as they arose – ranging from noisy construction to keeping relevant bodies up to speed on key stages of the development
• Organising a 10th anniversary commemoration for employees that highlighted the importance of safety in all that they do.  Works included producing a hardback book as a memento as well as an employee video of Process Safety Improvements

The Results

• BPA secured planning permission for one of the UK’s most contentious developments
• The company was praised and recognised for its ‘best practice’ stakeholder communications for its work in engaging with communities as it sought planning permissions.