At DHA, we strive to make the process of obtaining planning permission as clear and honest as possible.
With neraly four decades of experience, strong relationships with Local Authorities, and our commercial mindset, we are able to create tailored solutions to ensure the best possible outcome for your development project.
Let us help you navigate the complexities of planning and increase your chances of success.
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A planning application is a formal request submitted to a local planning authority for permission to develop or change the use of land. DHA offers the service to assist in the various application stages, including site appraisals, pre-application advice, planning application submissions.
DHA can assist in the process of submitting retrospective planning applications and reduce the risk of enforcement.
An enforcement case occurs when the local authority believes there has been a breach in planning control, such as when a building or structure is constructed without permission or when condition/(s) attached to a planning permission are not followed. These investigations can be time consuming. However DHA can provide the expertise during the entirety of the process to assist in ongoing discussions with the Council, regularising consents or appealing the Enforcement Notice.
Planning appeals are a formal request to the Planning Inspectorate against the refusal or non-determination of a planning application. DHA assists with all aspects of a planning and enforcement appeals, including planning inquiries, hearings and written representations, involving the process of managing and submitting the appeal and being a witness at the appeal.
A planning expert witness is required for a planning appeal, providing the specialised advice needed in legal proceedings. At DHA, there are many qualified professionals at hand to advise on the process and can go on the stand at an Inquiry or hearing as an expert planning witness.
When an alteration is made to a listed building, a listed building application is required. This is a type of planning control which ensures the protection of buildings ‘character’ and historic interest. DHA provides the expert knowledge to undertake these applications, alongside required normal planning regulations. We work alongside Heritage Consultants, on more complicated historic applications, and can provide advice as to the best approach to use.
Scheduled monuments are nationally important monuments. These monuments require a Scheduled Monument Consent, which DHA are able to provide input into, alongside heritage consultants, for any development or alterations to take place.
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) are large-scale developments, that often relate to energy, transport, water and waste. Due to their size and importance, a different type of permission known as a Development Consent Order (DCO) are required.
NSIP developers are required to apply to the Planning Inspectorate, rather than to the local authority, for a DCO. This process can be complex, which is why DHA assists clients throughout the different stages, including pre-application, preparing/ managing progress of relevant documents, submission and examination.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge that local authorities can choose to place on new developments to help fund infrastructure, facilities and services in the area. DHA helps clients establish whether they are liable for any CIL charges and in turn advising whether developments remain finically viable.
Section 106 agreements are legally binding agreements or “planning obligations” between developers and Local Authorities. These agreements help to offset the impact of new developments on the community.
DHA can assist in the process of considering S106 agreements, setting up trackers for existing agreements and, alongside a Solicitor, advising on the information required within a S106.
Financial Viability Statements test whether a development is financially feasible, assessing whether the value generated from the proposed development is greater than the expected costs. DHA can calculate and advice clients with this information, accounting for additional factors such as planning obligations and market risk.
A judicial review (JR) is a legal process whereby a decision made by the Secretary of State or a local planning authority is challenged in the High Court. DHA can assist in the instructing of Barristers and work towards the process of submitting a JR.
Every Local Planning Authority (LPA) in England and Wales are required to create a Local Plan, which outlines the vision for future development in the area. These are required to be up-to-date and reviewed at least once every five years. DHA can assist LPAs in effectively promoting these plans, through submission of call for sites and representations on behalf of sites, alleviating time constraint pressures.
At DHA, we can provide a range of Call for Sites packages to suit all budgets from basic land ownership plans to full layouts and supporting technical studies. For further information on our Call for Site Pack Options, please click here.
DHA offers the services to provide Local Authorities with assistance in development management support and general planning advice.
DHA can help to determine prime development opportunities along with maximising the land value, through site appraisals, considering the constraints, and through site promotion. Pulling on our extensive knowledge and understanding of the local areas we can create long term strategic plans for your sites.
People who work in this area
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.
Alice is a Planner at DHA and has worked on a variety of different projects during her time at DHA.
Alicia joined DHA in September 2024 after graduating from the University of Reading with a degree in Physical Geography.
Amy joined DHA in September 2024 after graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in Human Geography.
Cameron joined DHA in January 2024 as a graduate planner whilst completing his Masters in Town and Country Planning at London South Bank University.
Carleigh, Associate Director, leads the DHA Design team.
Chris is a Director at DHA running one of our residential teams, he is particularly passionate about creating new communities and ensuring developments meet the needs of the local demographic.
Danielle is an Associate Director and leads our Viability team as well as running a large caseload of planning projects.
David is a Director at DHA and leads a planning team working on a range of projects. He has a particular interest in residential projects, local plans and using his extensive knowledge and experience on all matters relating to the Green Belt and AONB.
David is a Director at DHA, and works on a number of high profile, large scale projects.
Before establishing David Hicken Associates in 1986, David had ten years' experience in Local Government, including posts with a District Council, a Metropolitan Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council and finally as Chief Planning Officer with Harlow District Council in Essex.
Emma joined DHA Planning in 2016 and has over 18 years' experience in the private sector, having previously worked for Peter Brett Associates and Barton Willmore LLP. Prior to that Emma worked at South Bucks District Council in the development management team.
Emily joined DHA in 2014, having previously been employed at Kent County Council in planning policy and highway roles and having gained a number of years' experience in architectural employment.
Greg joined DHA Planning in the summer of 2022 as a Graduate Planner after graduating from Newcastle University with a BA 1st (Hons) in Urban Planning in July 2022.
Hannah is an Associate in our Gatwick team and leads medium to large projects.
Hannah joined DHA's Gatwick team as an Associate Director in 2024 from Iceni in London.
Isabella joined DHA in August 2024 after graduating from UCL with a (RICS and RTPI accredited) Masters in Housing and City Planning.
Jack is a Senior Planner at DHA and is now based in our London office having started out in the Kent team.
Jack originally joined DHA Planning in 2021 after graduating from UCL with an MSc in Spatial Planning and is working towards becoming a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute. He started out by working with Jonathan Buckwell and Mark Bewsey in the Gatwick Office assisting on applications and providing advice to a range of clients with land and development interests in Sussex and Surrey.
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.
Jonathan is a Director heading up our Crawley/Gatwick office. He joined DHA in 2005 and has 25 years experience in planning consultancy, having previously worked on major regeneration projects, including the Emirates Stadium, with Hepher Dixon (now Savills) in Milton Keynes and London.
Laura joined DHA in 2004 as part of our original Graduate intake. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Geography and Sports Science from Loughborough University, and an MA in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Westminster. She is also a member of the RTPI.
Lucy joined DHA in 2021 and has nearly 20 years of experience providing planning advice and support on major projects throughout Kent and the south east.
Mark is a Planning Director within the DHA's Gatwick office and regularly leads the promotion of major schemes through the planning system.
Mathew joined DHA as one of our original graduate intake in 2004. He has a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Westminster, having previously studied Geography at the University of Birmingham.
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.
Matthew joined DHA on a year in industry in 2018 before returning as a graduate following the completion of his degree at Exeter university. Matthew has recently completed a Masters in Town and Country Planning at London South Bank University and became a Planner in July 2022.
Matthew is one of DHA's most experienced planners having worked in both public and private practise for over 24 years, and is dual-qualified in both Planning and Urban Design.
Heading up DHA's London office, Patrick advises on a range of high profile residential, mixed use and office developments across London and the South of England. Patrick has experience working on large-scale strategic regeneration projects, residential-led mixed use developments and complex development control matters.
Purdey joined DHA in October 2022 as a Graduate Planner after graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a BSc 2.1 (Hons) in Geography in 2022.
Rebecca joined DHA in 2014. Rebecca has a BCs hons degree in Geography, a Masters Degree in Town Planning and is also a full member of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Rosie joined DHA in November 2021 from the London Borough of Bexley, where she worked as a Planner in the Development Management team whilst completing her Masters at UCL. She holds a Batchelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Real Estate from the University of Reading and an MSc in Urban Regeneration from University College London.
Sammie joined DHA in September 2024 after graduating from the University College London.
Seth joined DHA in June 2023 as a Senior Planner. Seth graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University in 2018 with a BSc (Hons) in Geography before undertaking an MA in Planning Policy and Practice at London South Bank University. Seth became a member of the Royal Town Planning Institute in February 2023.
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