DHA Planning Group

On the back of the #Government’s consultation on a revised National #Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Standard Method ending in September this year, we are set for a number of potentially significant changes to Plan Making and Decision Taking. In the coming months, we can expect a revised NPPF that removes the 4-Year Rule, reinstates the requirement for Authorities with newly adopted Local Plans to demonstrate a 5 Year Housing Land Supply, and increases the housing delivery requirements for many Local Authorities. However for now, the December 2023 NPPF remains in effect. Ahead of these changes, DHA Planning Group are pleased to share our Autumn 2024 #South-East England and #London Local Plan #Housing Update, which provides the following: 🔎 Data from 7 regions: #London, #Kent, #Surrey, #EastSussex, #WestSussex, #Hampshire, and #Berkshire. 🏡 Identifies the Housing Land Supply and Housing Delivery Test of an Authority and confirms whether they are a 4 Year or 5 Year Authority. 📊 Provides an update on Emerging Plans and expected changes within the next 6 months. ✅ Reviews whether the presumption in favour of sustainable development applies. We trust that this edition of the update provides a useful insight. If you have any queries relating to the Local Plan process, please contact DHA’s David Bedford, Greg Filmer or Matt Porter. 

Today is the 75th anniversary of *WORLD TOWN PLANNING DAY*.   With a theme of 'Homes Start with Planning', the focus of this year’s #WTPD is on the role of #planning in delivering #housing that meets the needs of our #communities, and helping to create equitable, inclusive, and #sustainable solutions for all.   To celebrate this year’s #milestone, DHA Planning Group have looked back over some of the housing #developments that we’ve worked on over the last few months to demonstrate the positive impact of #planning in building more resilient cities and #communities across the #UK.   #DHA’s Managing Director, Alex Hicken says “WTPD 2024 spotlights the crucial role of planning in tackling the housing crisis, not only in the UK but across the world.  Delivering new homes is the backbone of this country, everyone deserves access to secure and quality housing.  We need to get building homes which meet local population need and improve the local #environment.   It is clear that we need a shift from house building to building communities.   Here at DHA, we strive to help our clients to achieve this by creating high #quality developments, which not only meet the needs of current generations but #future generations as well”.   #WTPD #WorldTownPlanningDay2024 #planning #planners #dhaplanning #newhomes #sustainable development #communities #equality

DHA Planning Group, together with Morgan Sindall Construction are delighted to announce that Kent County Council have granted planning permission for a new two-form entry #Primary #School and 26 place #Nursery on land at Cockering Farm in #Thanington.   This new high quality #educational facility, which was designed by Clague Architects and includes a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and an under 11 #football pitch and #running track, will allow early provision of required community #infrastructure for a major growth area of #Canterbury.      Following positive and proactive engagement with both KCC and Canterbury City Council #Planning Officers at the pre-application stage through to its determination, the application was determined under delegated powers.   Thanks to the wider team (Lloydbore, Hawden MEP Ltd, Harrison Geotechnical Engineering, Wilson Building Consultancy, Pace Consultants, Modus Construction Consultants and DHA Planning Group Transport team), for all their help with the application. #planning #development #education #permission #consultancy  

The launch of the 33rd Edition of the #KentPropertyMarketReport was a great success this morning. The report, which is produced by Kent County Council, Caxtons Property Consultants and Locate in Kent, highlights the growth in #coworking, the continuing #regeneration of Kent’s coastal towns and rural communities, #housinginitiatives as well as significant investment in road and rail #infrastructure.  It also includes a very useful #StrategicSites pull out map, which identifies key sites in Kent and Medway with contact details for each. DHA Planning Group's Managing Director, Alex Hicken, who attended this morning's launch, said: "Whilst political and economic uncertainty has heavily influenced the UK property sector during last year, and perhaps even more so in the past 7 days, it was promising to hear this morning about the signs of resilience in both the residential and commercial property markets.   What we need now is faster and more concise decision making, and whilst challenges remain, it is clear from the KPMR that the South-East, and particularly the market in Kent, is showing resilience which should be a good confidence boost to ongoing investment”.   #planning #townplanning #development #investment #property #propertymarket #KPMR

This morning sees the launch of this year's *KENT PROPERTY MARKET REPORT* at the Ashford International Hotel. DHA Planning Group are once again proud to sponsor the launch of this year's KPMR, the annual guide to investment and development in Kent. Thank you to Caxtons Property Consultants, Kent County Council, and Locate in Kent for bringing this all together! We’re looking forward to an engaging event and gaining valuable knowledge from this year’s findings. #planning #townplanning #development #investment #property #propertymarket #KPMR

As part of our ongoing #Graduate #training, 12 of our graduates spent the morning with Chris Loughead, Operations Director at Fernham Homes. The morning started off with breakfast and a #presentation from Danielle Lawrence and Chris Loughead, covering #health and #safety and carrying out effective #site visits, followed by a visit to two of Fernham Homes’ developments at #SuttonValence and #Sissinghurst, both of which are at different stages of the #construction process. It was a really insightful exercise for our #Graduates, and we appreciate Fernham’s time and support! #planning #housebuilding #healthandsafety #rtpi #development #graduatetraining

On the one year anniversary of the launch of the Interactive #AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and #GreenBelt map for the DHA Planning Group website, we are proud to announce a brand new #update to the #Interactive Map. The changes include an update to existing data, the introduction of new layers and an enhancement to the user-friendliness of the interactive map. Find out more about the new update in the article below... #planning #development #interactivemap #greenbelt #areaofoutstandingnaturalbeauty

*For Sale -Parsons Mead, Charing* DHA Planning Group's Land Team are pleased to present this #development opportunity for which the owners are only considering unconditional offers. The #site is located within the Stodmarsh catchment area, that will delay any immediate delivery but is allocated within #Charing Neighbourhood Plan. Allocated for 48 #residential dwellings and a new #community hall Total site area of 1.48 Hectares (3.67 acres) Located in the centre of #Charing on the A20, with the train station is only a short walk. Offers to be received by close of play on Wednesday 27th November 2024. For further information, please contact DHA Land's Sam Boland. #Developmentland #Developmentkent #Landforsale #Developmentlandforsale #DHALand #DHAPlanning

CIL Indexation Update Yesterday, the RICS published the annual #CommunityInfrastructureLevy (CIL) index figure for #2025. At an index of 391, this represents an increase of 2.6% on the 2024 CIL rates alone and will apply to #planning applications granted within CIL charging authorities from 1st January. Should you have any queries about how this could affect your #development, then please contact Danielle Lawrence, Paddy Good or James Farmer in our #viability team. #planning #development #CIL #applications #viabilty #update