Economic Development Consultancy

Hardisty Jones is a specialist economic development consultancy that advises public, private and third sector clients across the UK on a wide range of issues.

Our Services

We provide consultancy advice and support throughout the UK on economic development, often at the interface between the public and private sectors. We help local authorities, government, communities, developers and businesses to plan for economic development and understand the socio-economic impacts of projects and programmes on areas and societies. Our work covers issues such as jobs, enterprise, investment, employment of local people, skills, productivity, energy, infrastructure, sites and premises.

Strategies & Evidence

We help planning authorities and other public bodies understand the state of their local economies.

Socio-Economic Impact

We help landowners, developers, and the public sector make the economic case for and against site allocations and permissions.

Business Cases & Funding

We help public and private sector organisations to define and develop projects to support economic growth.

Clean Growth

We help public and private sector organisations understand the economic and social impacts of low carbon energy projects.

  • We have worked with Hardisty Jones on a number of occasions and return to the agency due to their professionalism  and depth of subject knowledge.
    Bea Symington
    Business Officer, Bath & North East Somerset Council
  • Their technical work is always of the highest quality and on many occasions their outputs have been instrumental in the achievement of our client’s desired outcomes.
    Neil Mantell
    Director, LRM Planning
  • The depth of their expertise combined with their ability to naturally become part of the team and fully understand our needs led to high quality outputs meeting and exceeding our expectations.
    Edita Adamicikova
    Head of ESG, Viridor
  • Hardisty Jones Associates have an impressive ability to fully understand the needs of their client. High quality outputs to achieve desired outcomes is the experience enjoyed to date.
    Sam Terrell
    Principal Economic Growth Officer, Harlow & Gilston Garden Town
  • HJA are approachable, easy to work with, listen to the needs of the client, and maintained good client relationships communicating well at all stages of the project. 
    Stuart Williams
    Group Leader – Planning Policy, Cardiff Council
  • HJA are collaborative team members working well across disciplines with various consultants, taking their own initiative rather than waiting for direction to maximise the impact their research has.
    Pete Brown
    Director, Estrans Developments
  • Throughout the on going evaluation of Social Business Wales, Hardisty Jones Associates have provided on going guidance and positive challenge, with clear recommendations.
    Glenn Bowen
    Enterprise Programme Director, Social Business Wales
  • Economic Benefits Statement for a Solar Farm in South Yorkshire

    Hardisty Jones were commissioned by Enviromena to deliver an economic benefits statement in support of a planning application for the proposed development of Marr Solar Farm in Doncaster.

  • Economic Impact of a Carbon Capture Plant at Parc Adfer

    Hardisty Jones prepared an economic impact assessment of the proposed carbon capture and storage plant at Parc Adfer to support enfinium’s bid for government funding, helping evidence the economic benefits of low‑carbon development.

  • Economic Benefits Statement of a Solar Farm in Kent

    Hardisty Jones were commissioned by Enviromena to deliver an economic benefit statement in support of a planning application for the proposed development of St Mary’s Solar Farm in Folkestone & Hythe.

  • Economic Benefits Statement for a Solar Farm in South Yorkshire

    Hardisty Jones were commissioned by Enviromena to deliver an economic benefits statement in support of a planning application for the proposed development of Marr Solar Farm in Doncaster.

  • Economic Impact of a Carbon Capture Plant at Parc Adfer

    Hardisty Jones prepared an economic impact assessment of the proposed carbon capture and storage plant at Parc Adfer to support enfinium’s bid for government funding, helping evidence the economic benefits of low‑carbon development.

About Us

Hardisty Jones has been operating in the economic development industry since 2011, working for public, private and third sector clients across the UK on a range of economic development issues.

Meet the Team

Our directors share over half a century of combined experience in the economic development industry, supported by a team of highly talented consultants and researchers.

  • What will Environmental Outcomes Reports mean for socio-economics?

    The Government has now published both its response to the 2023 consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

  • Our Response to the NPPF Consultation

    This insight highlights the key themes shaping our recommendations for updated planning policy.

  • Emerging SDS Geographies: An Economic Development Perspective

    As an advocate of planning for growth at the strategic level, Spatial Development Strategies are undoubtedly a move in the right direction. However, greater clarity is still needed on the requirement to rely on existing evidence, the risks posed by geographies that don’t align with functional economic areas, and how SDSs will work alongside Local…

  • What will Environmental Outcomes Reports mean for socio-economics?

    The Government has now published both its response to the 2023 consultation on Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).

  • Our Response to the NPPF Consultation

    This insight highlights the key themes shaping our recommendations for updated planning policy.

  • Recruiting: Graduate Consultant

    Hardisty Jones is recruiting a Graduate Consultant in UK local socio-economic development to join the team in Bristol.

  • Changes to the planning appeals process in England

    Changes to the planning appeals process in England has come into force as of April 1st, 2026.

  • Berwick Bank Phase B confirmed in CfD Allocation Round 7

    Hardisty Jones has provided socio-economics support to the Berwick Bank Offshore Wind Farm on behalf of SSE Renewables. We are pleased to see Berwick Bank Phase B confirmed in CfD Allocation Round 7.

  • Recruiting: Graduate Consultant

    Hardisty Jones is recruiting a Graduate Consultant in UK local socio-economic development to join the team in Bristol.

  • Changes to the planning appeals process in England

    Changes to the planning appeals process in England has come into force as of April 1st, 2026.

Contact Us

Bristol Office

27 Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AN

Cardiff Office

10th Floor, Brunel House, 2 Fitzalan Rd, Cardiff, CF24 0EB

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