HTA led a comprehensive, community-focused engagement programme for Phase 3 of the Friary Park regeneration, placing residents at the centre of the design process. Building on earlier consultation by Peabody and Mount Anvil, our strategy focused on three key themes: the new community centre, play spaces, and the public realm. The approach was grounded in detailed research, including a review of past engagement, demographic insights, and audits of local services. Early collaboration with the Residents Steering Group helped build trust and shape the engagement framework, which we presented within the first month of our appointment. This early clarity on community priorities informed our design direction throughout. The new community centre was developed through spatial planning workshops and ongoing dialogue with local organisations including the Felix Project, Maples Children’s Centre, and Jamal Edwards Delve. The resulting design delivers flexible, multi-functional spaces to host cooking classes, religious gatherings, youth engagement sessions, and mental health workshops. We also explored inclusive play design, working with Make Space for Girls and Delve to create spaces that meet the needs of all age groups, particularly young women. Our public realm strategy prioritised identity, accessibility, and legibility, developed through community-led drawing and mapping exercises. A range of tailored engagement methods, public exhibitions, workshops, journey mapping and observational studies, ensured accessible and ongoing involvement, responding directly to Ealing Council’s consultation guidance and sustaining meaningful dialogue with the community throughout.
