Areas of Expertise
Delivering large-scale growth projects and regeneration programs requires a unique mix of skills, dedication, and a proactive approach. We provide a tailored service to meet client needs, assembling the right team to tackle challenges flexibly. Our collaborative approach not only addresses current needs but also helps build capacity in those we work with.
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Our team offers a wide range of services to both public and private sector clients. We have deep experience supporting Local Authorities, working with officers, members, and communities to develop effective, locally suited solutions. We also work flexibly, providing advice and support across a wide range of planning activities.
Strategy & Project Management Support
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Critical friend advice. Providing critical friend/advisor guidance on large scale growth projects at both regional and site-specific levels.
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Project & Programme Management. Managing projects with focused support, filling skills gaps, and handling procurement of consultants.
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Brokerage & negotiation. Impartially resolving conflicts between project partners.
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Stakeholder & community engagement. Leading engagement processes, from strategy creation to consultation and reporting.
Planning Support
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Planning strategies. Advising on taking projects through the planning system, from policy development to delivery.
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Policy development & evidence base services. Supporting evidence base preparation for large sites including advice on site allocations/broad locations, green belt issues, deliverability, viability, infrastructure requirements, trajectories & build rates, etc.
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Planning application support. Managing pre-application discussions, coordinating large-scale applications and offering case officer type of support.
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Planning tools and mechanisms. Helping clients to use new planning tools effectively, like Planning Performance Agreements.
Masterplanning & Placemaking
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Collaborative placemaking - Creating high-quality design outcomes by integrating planning and design, backed by our expertise in design delivery and funding.
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Vision and objectives – Working with clients to craft distinct visions and objectives and enshrine them in policies and charters.
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Urban design frameworks and masterplans. Preparing comprehensive design frameworks for garden communities, large scale schemes and high streets.
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Design codes & guides: Promoting concepts and masterplans though the collaborative development of design codes, SPDs and government tools.
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Inclusive design process. Collaborating with other designers through design reviews, workshops and training.
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High quality place Design. Ensuring a holistic, sustainable approach to placemaking using effective planning tools.
Why chose us
Fully responsive to client needs
Flexible and adaptable, offering bespoke services.
Trusted and respected in the sector
Unmatched knowledge & experience
Delivery
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Viability advice. Providing site-specific viability assessments using bespoke tools.
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Delivery strategies: Preparing delivery strategies for planning, funding and infrastructure provision.
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Growth & infrastructure studies: Developing area wide and site-specific growth and infrastructure strategies.
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Funding & bid support. Assisting with bid preparation for infrastructure funding and capacity support.
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Delivery models & governance. Advising on models like Locally Led Development Corporations.
Placemaking
Hyas is a planning consultancy with a strong expertise of placemaking, masterplanning and design, especially for large scale housing growth. This design focus is enhanced by our design associates and growing portfolio of design outputs, including Axminster Masterplan, the Maidenhead Placemaking Studies, St Cuthbert’s Garden Village Strategic Design SPD and design code pathfinder and three National Model Design Code pilots.
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​As a values-driven practice, Hyas promotes good design and place leadership. We are small enough to be responsive but have the resources to handle high profile design commissions. In particular, we provide:
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Commitment to high quality placemaking: Helping clients achieve design excellence by linking placemaking, design and planning with focus on people, collaboration best practices backed by our proven track record.
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Inclusive design process: Collaborating with Councils and designers through design reviews, workshops, ‘critical friend’ support and training.
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Practical Design Knowledge: Understanding the mechanisms for securing good design such as design coding, planning policy and wider guidance while creating active, sustainable and enduring new places.
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Building skills & capacity: Supporting Councils and stakeholders to develop in-house design masterplanning expertise.
Our design process offer includes
Facilitating workshops & fostering positive collaboration
Establishing and running design review processes
Producing design codes, guides and masterplans & providing critical friend support
Offering training and support to Officers and Members