Celebrating 40 Years of DHA Planning

On 14 January 1986, David Hicken set out with a clear ambition: to create a planning consultancy that combined technical expertise with a genuine commitment to communities and clients. From a modest office at Wellington House in Maidstone, David founded David Hicken Associates, laying the foundations of what would become DHA Planning.

 

Just two years later, with four permanent staff on board, the company moved to a converted barn in Loose, Maidstone. It might have been an unusual choice, but the barn quickly became a hub of ideas, collaboration, and innovation — a space where the seeds of DHA’s approach to sustainable, imaginative, and practical planning were sown. For the next 18 years, this barn was not just an office; it was the heart of a growing team committed to making a real difference in the communities they served.

 

As the new millennium arrived, so too did growth and change. In 2006, DHA moved into a purpose-built office at Eclipse Park, Maidstone — a modern, spacious environment designed to support a growing team and provide clients with the best possible service. Between 2008 and 2010, the creation of the Design, Transport, and Environment teams allowed DHA to expand its capabilities, delivering projects that were not just functional but thoughtfully designed, sustainable, and community-focused.

 

Leadership also evolved. In 2015, Alex Hicken was appointed Managing Director, with David Hicken taking on the role of Chairman, guiding DHA into an era of continued growth and innovation. Over the following years, DHA broadened its presence with offices in Gatwick (2018), London (2022), and most recently Leeds (2025), bringing our expertise closer to clients across the UK and further afield.

 

Today, DHA Planning is proud to be the South East’s largest independent planning and highways consultancy, trusted to deliver high-quality planning, transport, and environmental solutions across projects of all scales. From small local developments to major hospitals, schools, residential communities, and regeneration schemes, our team brings creativity, expertise, and a focus on sustainable outcomes to every project.

 

As we celebrate this milestone, we reflect on the people who have shaped DHA’s journey — our visionary founder, dedicated team members past and present, and clients and partners who have trusted us along the way. Forty years of growth, learning, and achievement have brought us here, and we are excited for what lies ahead.

 

The story of DHA Planning is far from finished. We remain committed to shaping sustainable communities, supporting our clients, and building projects that make a positive impact for decades to come. Here’s to the next 40 years — and beyond.