27. Often a small number of major landowners own most of the land within an Event Area. These landowners are typically large estates or organisations like the National Trust. Gaining the consent of these major landowners early on often forms the building blocks for all the subsequent event permissions.
28. When required, identifying the jigsaw puzzle of smaller landowners within a large Event Area can be a daunting and hugely time-consuming task. Often, simply knocking on the door of a farm, and asking what land they own, and who their neighbour is, is the most effective way of gaining detailed local knowledge of the different landowners and their boundaries.
29. Most adventure sport events take place in rural locations such as countryside, moorland or mountainous areas. The communities that live in these areas often have mixed views about events interrupting their peace and quiet. Some enjoy the excitement and others are infuriated. It is important to understand that some communities in event hotspots may suffer from events weekend after weekend almost all the year round.
30. It is best to engage with local communities early through parish councils, community groups and graziers’ associations etc. Usually a polite, early and clear request is viewed favourably, whilst a ‘last minute’ request is rejected or meets resistance.
31. The difficulties a local community can create for an unpopular event can easily lead to it not happening, even if they don’t have the legal right to object to it.
32. Identifying specific residents who will be affected by the event more than others – such as a farm that has a bridleway passing through it – and engaging politely and early to win them over, can help the event to gain acceptance with the wider local community.
33. The most common concerns communities have about events are increased traffic, parking, road safety, litter and noise. Organisers should consider these factors at an early planning stage and have solid plans for mitigating these issues when they make initial contact with the local communities.
34. Forward thinking organisers will actively seek to create opportunities for the local community to directly benefit from the event.