Data & GIS Services

Sound policies and good development need robust evidence. With our knowledge of data sources and our analysis skills, we can provide you with the solid evidence you need. Some examples of the kinds of things we can do for you are:

• • Mapping and spatial understanding using QGIS, a powerful GIS (Geographical Information System) programme. Combining this with our planners’ eye for patterns let us help you understand how your area or site functions and how planning can help you improve things.  Our Council evidence reports are usually based on detailed mapping and data analyses – connecting tabular data such with geographic to help communicate the picture on the ground.
    Examples can be seen in reports such as:
    →   LPR 1.11 Maidstone Settlement Hierarchy Study Review Final 2021
    → 2023.02.08 Final HMO review and options Report.pp
    → Open space and laying pitch study mapping such as in : N Devon drive isochrones
  • How do residents rate their newly built homes and neighbourhoods? Where did they move from and how do they travel to work, shop or school? Only by asking them direct can you find out. We have been carrying out post-occupation surveys for years, and the results are fascinating (and surprising to many). This is a low cost service which we can offer to councils, housing developers and neighbourhood plangroups (amongst others).
  • Housing is one of the key human needs, but there just isn’t enough in our country. But that shortage plays out differently in different places. We can provide you with a demographic and market understanding to help you start improving things for your struggling people and households. From considering the overall housing market dynamics of an area, through to more specific needs such as affordable housing, adapted and disabled homes and custom and self build requirements. We are open to coordinating your Strategic Housing Market Assessments, a key local plan requirement.
  • Housing Land Supply and Monitoring All councils need enough deliverable housing sites to meet five years’ worth of need, and for local plans at 15 year forward supply.  We can provide you with an independent consideration of the housing supply situationwhether you are a developer or a council.  Similarly, if your area hasn’t been building enough to meet their targets, failing the government’s “housing delivery test” can have similar consequences. We can prepare a housing delivery action plan to turn your numbers around.
  • General mapping services available to help evidence development and planning issues