Corporate Responsibility Report 2010

Our communities

As a developer and landlord, our involvement in large-scale and complex property projects often lasts for years – even decades – but our intentions extend far further than simply being a good neighbour. By investing, not just in buildings but in well-integrated and enduring employment, education and enterprise opportunities, we hope to make our communities brighter, stronger and more sustainable.

Because of this, we can afford to take a longer-term view. We take the time to consult with all interested parties, from regulators to community groups, and business partners to occupiers, well before the first brick is laid. We listen to and address any concerns our tenants and neighbours may have, and make the effort to forge meaningful partnerships. These relationships give strength to the social as well as the physical fabric of a community, and help to foster a real sense of local ownership and civic pride.

We cannot do this alone, so we engage with local authorities, community agencies and voluntary groups to help us to deliver effective employment, education and enterprise opportunities. These range from running educational workshops to offering space in our shopping centres so that charities can promote their work. Our London business has 'employability' as one of its main CR priorities: working collaboratively with local partners to ensure long-term economic investment and to support sustainable communities.

Our involvement isn't just at the corporate level either; Land Securities people like to do their bit too, whether it's donating or raising money, or sparing time for volunteer work within their local communities. In the process, they act as ambassadors for our business, and we directly support their efforts through the Land Securities Foundation.

See our progress against our 2009/10 targets and our new targets for 2010/11.