Set within the Kent countryside at Birling, Oast Park is a disused former golf course with the potential to become a vibrant, landscape-led community. Since 2024, Pillory Barn has been working alongside Obee Estates, applying our placemaking marketing expertise to help shape a future for the site that reflects its setting and community, underpinned by a phased programme of engagement and consultation.

Our initial work established the foundations for meaningful dialogue. With no existing identity or communications platform in place, we created the Oast Park brand and developed engagement tools to introduce the proposals and start conversations with local residents, businesses and stakeholders. Through in-person consultation events, digital engagement and targeted media outreach, we helped build early awareness and generate valuable feedback that informed the evolution of the scheme.

In 2026, we delivered a second phase of public consultation focused on ensuring revised plans reflected community priorities.

The updated vision for Oast Park brings forward new homes alongside generous green space, and community and recreational facilities.

A key priority at this stage was strengthening relationships with local decision-makers, facilitating direct engagement with local parish councils and providing an opportunity to seek local insight.

Public consultation, delivered across February and March 2026, combined traditional and digital engagement to maximise reach across the local area.

A clearly written and carefully designed consultation leaflet was distributed to approximately 5,000 homes and businesses, introducing the revised proposals and directing people to an online consultation survey.

The project website content was refreshed to reflect the evolving masterplan, introducing new visuals and clear, accessible messaging to help users understand the proposals. The website also hosted the online survey, allowing residents to provide feedback at a time that suited them, with QR codes and direct links integrated across all communications. Survey responses were monitored throughout the consultation period, providing the project team with real-time insight into emerging themes and sentiment.

To broaden awareness, we delivered a targeted PR and media relations campaign, supported by local print media advertising and coordinated social media activity. We also monitored media coverage and online discussion for further valuable insight.

This integrated approach to community engagement and consultation has enabled Obee Estates to move forward with a clearer understanding of local priorities.

By creating opportunities for open, informed dialogue at every stage, Pillory Barn has helped ensure that the evolving plans for Oast Park are informed by the voices of the community they will serve.

Building awareness, understanding and support for the project was essential for this multi-faceted development. With no existing collateral and complex messaging to convey, Obee Holdings partnered with Pillory Barn to deliver community engagement, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team.

Using our creative and placemaking expertise, we developed the Oast Park Sports Hub brand, establishing a clear identity and assets for the project. Key engagement platforms included a project website and a digital survey, complemented by targeted media and stakeholder outreach.

Two consultation events were organised, attracting over 100 attendees, with notable participation from local council representatives. A carefully crafted strategy ensured diverse engagement methods including leaflet promotion, media relations, social media campaigns and personalised communications with stakeholder groups. 

For those unable to attend the events, exhibition materials were uploaded to the project website, enhancing accessibility.

100 attendees at consultation events, including local councillors and stakeholders, demonstrated strong community interest and over 180 survey responses provided valuable data to inform the next stages of the planning application. Extensive, consistent media coverage raised awareness of the project’s role in safeguarding the future of the football club.

Through strategic engagement, Pillory Barn helped Obee Estates establish trust, foster community endorsement, and move a step closer to realising the development’s vision for a leisure-led new community.