At DHA we aim to provide clear and concise advice to clients and landowners in respect of proposals affecting Public Rights of Way.
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Public Rights of Way are often overlooked in the development process, and can be a source of much controversy and strong feeling amongst the public and campaign groups. Failure to consider the impact of development on Public Rights of Way can cause severe delays and costs on construction programmes and often early engagement on these matters helps smooth the process through planning and beyond.
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People who work in this area
Alex has worked at DHA for more than 15 years and became Managing Director in 2016. Alongside overseeing the day-to-day running of the business, he remains passionate about planning and development. He enjoys meeting clients, exploring opportunities, and advising on how DHA can help 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.
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.
Amy joined DHA in September 2024 after graduating from the University of Kent with a degree in Human Geography.
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 gained ten years of experience in Local Government, holding roles with a District Council, a Metropolitan Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, and ultimately serving as Chief Planning Officer at Harlow District Council in Essex.
Ebony joined DHA in May 2025 as a Receptionist, where she is responsible for overseeing the smooth day-to-day running of DHA’s reception and meeting spaces.
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.
Emily undertook a yearlong Placement at DHA from September 2023 to September 2024 as part of her BSc in Urban Planning. Having now completed her undergraduate at Loughborough University, she has now returned to DHA full time as of September 2025.
Greg is a Senior Planner at DHA Planning and is based in our Kent Office. He joined DHA as a Graduate Planner in the summer of 2022 after graduating from Newcastle University with a BA 1st (Hons) in Urban Planning.
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.
Isaac joined DHA in September 2025, having worked at Local Planning Authorities across Suffolk, where he grew up, and, most recently, at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.
Isabella joined DHA in August 2024 after graduating from UCL with a (RICS and RTPI accredited) Masters in Housing and City Planning.
Jack is an Associate 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.
Jess joined DHA's finance team in January 2025 as maternity cover for Grace Paternoster.
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.
Katie joined DHA as a Graduate Planner in September 2025 upon completion of her Masters in Urban Design and Planning at London South Bank University.
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.
Lizzie joined DHA in early 2025 as an Associate in the Gatwick Office, bringing with her seven years of experience in the private sector with some public sector experience during her time as a student.
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.
Martha joined DHA in September 2025 for her placement year, as part of her undergraduate Geography Degree (BSc) at Loughborough University.
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 is one of DHA's most experienced planners having worked in both public and private practice for over 24 years, and is dual-qualified in both Planning and Urban Design.
Noora joined DHA in May 2025 after graduating from the University of Manchester with a Masters Degree in Environmental Governance.
Olivia joined DHA in August 2025 as a Planner, bringing a year of experience in the planning industry.
Purdey joined DHA in October 2022 as a Graduate Planner after graduating from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Geography. A year after joining, she began her Masters in Town and Country Planning (Part-Time) at London South Bank University.
Rebecca is an Associate at DHA and works from both our Maidstone and London offices.
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 and an MSc in Urban Regeneration from University College London, where she graduated with a distinction. Rosie is also a member of the RTPI.
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.
Sophie joined DHA as a Graduate Planner in May 2025 after working as a Transport Planner in Exeter for the previous 2.5 years. She graduated from the University of Exeter in 2022 with a BSc Geography degree.
Sectors we work in
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.
DHA have a long track record of work within the leisure sector, having secured consent for projects including ice rinks, football stadia and training complexes, sport pavilions, equestrian training centres and countless leisure centres. Each project comes with its own unique set of circumstances and design needs and DHA are adept at responding to these, working collaboratively with the design team to identify and mitigate any planning risks whilst promoting the many benefits such projects deliver.
DHA's experience in mixed use schemes is wide and varied in both scheme types and location.
DHA have market leading experience in creating new communities. This is evident in the scale and success of the projects worked on across the country.
DHA are a leading practice in the residential sector, working with individuals on their dream houses through to thousands of new homes in Garden Settlements.
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