From Data to Decisions

Identifying Opportunities and Understanding Constraints

GIS allows multiple planning, transport and environmental datasets to be considered together.

 

Green Belt and Grey Belt considerations, settlement boundaries, planning policy designations, flood risk, heritage, ecology, agricultural land, topography, land ownership and transport accessibility can all be analysed at an early stage.

 

 

This analysis can support:

 

• Site identification and development feasibility
• Local Plan promotion and call-for-sites submissions
• Strategic land and property portfolio reviews
• Planning applications and appeals
• Comparison of alternative sites or development scenarios
• Early identification of planning, transport and environmental constraints

 

By identifying potential issues before substantial time and cost are committed, GIS can help focus attention and resources on the strongest development opportunities. It can also reveal spatial relationships and opportunities that may be overlooked when datasets are considered separately.

 

Assessing Accessibility and Connectivity

GIS can help demonstrate how a site relates to its surrounding area, including access to schools, shops, employment, healthcare, public transport and community facilities.

 

Walking, cycling and driving-time analysis can support assessments of a site’s accessibility and sustainability. Transport isochrones can clearly illustrate the destinations that can be reached within defined journey times, while more detailed route analysis can identify barriers and opportunities for improved walking and cycling connections.

 

 

This evidence can be especially valuable when assessing potential development locations, preparing transport strategies or explaining the sustainability credentials of a proposal.

 

Supporting Better Site Analysis

Topography and landform can significantly influence the feasibility, layout and environmental effects of development.

 

LiDAR and other topographical data can be analysed through GIS to provide a detailed understanding of site levels and surrounding terrain. This can support initial site assessment and design development by identifying changes in elevation, physical constraints and relationships with the wider landscape.

 

 

GIS can also combine land ownership, environmental receptors and surrounding development proposals to support cumulative-impact analysis and provide a more complete picture of the factors affecting a site.

 

Turning Complex Evidence into a Clearer Story

The value of GIS is not limited to technical analysis. Clear, legible and well-designed visual outputs can make complex evidence easier for planning officers, councillors, consultees and local communities to understand.

 

An effective map can demonstrate not only where a site is located, but also why its location matters. It can explain how a proposal relates to planning policy, environmental constraints, transport networks, local facilities and surrounding development.

 

This can help create clearer and more persuasive evidence for planning applications, appeals, Local Plan representations and public consultation.

 

How DHA Can Help

DHA uses GIS across its Planning, Transport and Environmental teams to support evidence-based advice and better-informed decision-making.

 

 

Our GIS capabilities include:

 

• Site identification and development constraint analysis
• Green Belt, Grey Belt and planning policy mapping
• Walking, cycling and driving-time analysis
• Transport isochrones and connectivity assessments
• Walking and cycling route audits
• Land ownership and environmental receptor mapping
• Cumulative-impact analysis
• Postcode, demographic, Census and heat-map analysis
• LiDAR analysis of site levels and topography
• Bespoke maps and graphics for planning applications, appeals and consultations

 

By bringing together expertise from across DHA’s disciplines, the analysis can be tailored to the particular requirements of a site, land portfolio, Local Plan promotion, planning application or transport strategy.

 

From Data to Decisions

GIS is no longer simply a way of illustrating a planning case at the end of the process.

 

Used from the outset, it can help identify stronger sites, uncover opportunities, understand constraints and shape better planning and transport strategies. It can also turn complex datasets into clear and persuasive evidence, helping clients and decision-makers understand the spatial relationships that underpin a proposal.

 

As planning becomes increasingly data-led, GIS will play an important role in supporting informed decisions and unlocking development potential with greater confidence.

 

To discuss how DHA’s GIS capabilities could support a site, portfolio, Local Plan promotion or transport strategy, please contact Carleigh Westwell.