A site visit offers stakeholders an opportunity to get acquainted with the planning area and proposed projects. It can also be tailoured to particular groups, e.g. key stakeholders, advisory committee representatives or media. On guided visits, the attendees are able to discuss the different planning options and their implications and other related issues.
Careful designing of a site visit is always important and should include a demonstration (the preferred option) or a presentation. Participants should be encouraged to pose questions and comment on the topics in order to create genuine interaction and exchange ideas. When planning a site visit, it is recommended to make a bad-weather plan, for instance by arranging a large enough indoor venue for presentations, demonstrations and discussions. The organisers must also give due consideration to health and safety requirements when taking visitors to work sites.