At DHA we are experienced in helping farmers and rural based enterprises of every scale across the agricultural sector to diversify their operations and to respond to existing and new challenges.
Our work has included major new processing and packing facilities and energy solutions through to agricultural worker dwellings and managing existing conditions.
We realise that every rural business is different and we take the time to ensure that we understand how your business works so that we can effectively take you through the planning process and secure the best outcome.
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Case studies in this sector
Working with GrowUp Farms Ltd, DHA has secured consent for a 9,000 sqm extension to its existing vertical farm, Pepperness.
Canterbury City Council has granted permission to Westerleigh Group to erect a new crematorium, incorporating a 98-seat chapel and waiting room, on a 14-acre plot of farmland off Bullockstone Road in Herne Bay.
A European first for the strawberry industry is already delivering on its promise of increased yields of higher quality fruit for a Kent producer after DHA helped Charltons secure permission for a £5m investment.
Supporting Kent's rural business community has always been an area of DHA expertise. This includes its work with Fridays, the family-owned free range egg producer, which has recently secured planning permission to replace two outdated 40-year-old rearing sheds at Tolehurst Farm, near Staplehurst.
With the UK beer industry experiencing a resurgence and Kent being synonymous with hops, DHA has helped secure permission for a brewery and eight hoppers huts in Wateringbury, designed by TaylorHare Architects and with input from Heritage Consultants, Studio Sam Causer.
People who work in this area
Alex is an Associate in our Design team and is passionate about using technology to further improve our design offering to our clients to give them the best possible outcomes for their scheme as well as boosting the chances of success for their application.
Alex has worked at DHA for over 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. As well as the day to day running of the business, Alex remains passionate about planning and development and enjoys getting out and about meeting clients and discussing the various options how DHA can maximise the value of their land.
Alex joined DHA from Kent County Council in 2018 having worked on a number of Nationally Strategic infrastructure Projects, Regulation 3 developments (e.g. schools) and minerals and waste planning and policy. He has a BSc (Hons) degree in Geography from the University of Southampton and an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Westminster, which was sponsored by DHA.
David is a Director at DHA, and works on a number of high profile, large scale projects.
Eric has recently celebrated his 20th work anniversary at DHA and continues to be a vital member of the DHA planning team.
John joined DHA in 2001 having gained experience with a Chartered Surveying Practice in Central London and then having spent some 12 years in Local Government. His Local Government experience involved a City Council, Borough Council and working as a Development Control Manager at a Unitary Council. He has a BA (hons) degree in Town and Country Planning and an MBA, and has been a Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute since 1988.
Matthew joined DHA in 2012, having previously worked at Kent County Council. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography and was awarded an MSc in Town Planning from the University of Brighton in 2014.
Tim is a Director at DHA and leads our Environment team.
Services we work in
Our Environment team provide environmental consultancy services to deliver sustainable and viable solutions to planning and environmental problems.
DHA's Design team combines a wide range of design skills to offer the high level of experience and knowledge necessary to deliver viable, well designed, imaginative schemes which satisfy the needs of the client as well as the community.
Site promotion is vital to identify land for future developments and to meet the needs of future generations.
DHA offer a Geographical Information System (GIS) service that can provide a variety of maps to help visualise data, identify patterns and aid decision making.
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