DHA Planning
Who are you and what do you do?
We’re DHA Planning, the largest independent planning and highways consultancy in the South East.
Our team helps shape places and communities across the UK through planning, transport and infrastructure planning, environmental impact assessments, master-planning and design, land and site promotion, and development viability services.
From our office at Astral Towers in Crawley, we work with everyone from individual landowners and business owners to solar developers, national housebuilders, and public sector organisations including the NHS and Department for Education.
Tell us about the team behind DHA
Our Crawley office is home to a team of nine Town Planners and four Transport Planners, but we’re part of something much bigger.
Outside of Astral Towers, we have teams in Kent, London and Leeds who cover town planning, transport and infrastructure planning, environmental impact, master-planning and design, land and site promotion and development viability.
What unites us is a shared passion for creating high-quality, sustainable development and helping clients navigate what can often be a complex planning landscape.
Tell us about the milestone you celebrated recently…
2026 marked a very special occasion for us: DHA turned 40.
The business was founded in January 1986 by our Chairman, David Hicken. At the time, he had two young children, and one of them even shares a birthday with the company itself.
Four decades later, David still plays an active role in the business and continues to enjoy bringing in new opportunities, solving planning challenges, and asking the questions that help move projects forward.
Today, the business is led by his son, Alex Hicken, as Managing Director. Under Alex’s leadership, DHA has grown into a thriving, multidisciplinary consultancy of nearly 90 specialists, while maintaining the independent values and client-focused approach that have been there from the very beginning.
What drives DHA Planning?
Our focus has always been on creating high-quality sustainable developments that benefit both our clients and the communities they serve.
Planning goes far beyond just securing the right permissions, and our team brings their creativity, expertise, enthusiasm and a focus on sustainable outcomes to every project.
What does a typical project look like for you?
One of the things we enjoy most is the variety. On any given day, we could be supporting a local landowner with development plans, advising a national housebuilder on a large-scale scheme, working on renewable energy projects, or helping deliver important public sector developments.
Have there been any standout moments or highlights?
Being shortlisted for the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Large Planning Consultancy of the Year in 2025 was a huge moment for us. While we didn’t take home the award, being recognised alongside national and international publicly traded firms was an achievement we’re incredibly proud of.
For an independent consultancy to be shortlisted in such a prestigious category was a fantastic reflection of the expertise, dedication and hard work of our entire team.
Why Freedom Works?
We joined Freedom Works in January 2023 and it has been a great fit for our growing team. The flexibility of the space gives us room to expand when needed, while the Community Managers, meeting rooms and professional environment create an excellent experience for both our staff and clients.
Most importantly, it strikes the right balance between professionalism and a friendly atmosphere, making it a place where our team genuinely enjoys coming to work.
What’s next for DHA Planning?
As we celebrate our 40th year in business, we’re also looking firmly towards the future.
The story of DHA is far from finished. We’re continuing to grow our multidisciplinary services, support our clients through an ever-changing planning landscape, and help deliver developments that make a positive difference to communities across the UK.
We’re excited to see what the next chapter brings.
Website: www.dhaplanning.co.uk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/dha-planning
Instagram: @dhaplanninggroup