Making sense of the place in which we live: more than a feeling! Making sense of the place in which we live, is complex. It is certainly not simply about fixed, quantifiable, geographical parameters but it is multidimensional and feelings about a place, about its community and what is valued in that place, are highly significant [1,2,3]. Communities will comprise homogeneous and heterogeneous groups, [4] and so multiple meanings and values will likely be conveyed from amongst the community. Consequently the ability to capture the breadth and depth of local views is warranted and invariably, this will require a highly interdisciplinary approach to be taken to make sense of these views. If we are able to improve our understanding of place and inform spatial planning strategies and management accordingly, as previous blogs also report, numerous advantages, especially where natural environments are concerned, are expected in enhancing health and wellbeing, [5, 6] even the social and psychological development of children, [7]. Moƌeoǀeƌ, thƌough the ĐoŵŵuŶitys engagement and through changes they have been able to affect, their empowerment and abilities to convey views can be enhanced [8] and a greater sense of value in their area and in their community is argued to be developed [9,10,11,12,13]. However, consultations may appear to communities disingenuous or simply a tick-box exercise [14, 15, 16, and 17]. Operational doors need to be opened for planners to not only genuinely consult with the broadest range of local people but also for the consultees opinions to be seen to influence decision making. In our view, as previously blogged by Professor Healey [18], place based planning policies are required. The Case of Broadly Engaging with Tranquillity: A Sense of a Special Place in Dorset A genuine belief that local people are best placed to comment on their sense of place, on their community and in shaping the area, in which they live, underpinned the design of the Broadly Engaging with Tranquillity Project (BETP). Undertaken in the Purbecks, Dorset from March 2014 to June 2015, the case study comprises an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) so designated for its wealth of both natural and cultural heritage. It is a key tourist destination in the south of England encompassing numerous historical, archaeological and environmental features and presents strong cultural associations with the rural and coastal landscape. The Purbecks was selected specifically for the sense of community and of special place with which it is labelled as part of the AONB, and inclusive of its World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, is managed under themes of special qualities. At the heart of these, tranquillity is a key quality promoted as representing the quintessential image perceived of the English countryside. Perhaps, unsurprisingly tranquillity tends to be a term used synonymously with calm, solitude, peace and quiet to describe a sense of place, as much as the quality of experiencing a rural or protected area such as an AONB. Given the highly subjective nature of these terms, tranquillity, as a