Economic Development Consultancy

HJA 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
  • Severn Estuary Commission: Socio Economics Workstream

    Hardisty Jones Associates, in partnership with Oxford Economics and Arcadis, undertook research for the Severn Estuary Commissioners and Western Gateway Partnership to help understand the potential socio-economic effects of the development of tidal range power in the Severn Estuary.

  • Western Gateway Independent Economic Review update

    Hardisty Jones delivered a local economic analysis of the Western Gateway, looking at the area’s economic strengths, challenges, and opportunities. The report works to support and inform future policy direction and economic development for the Western Gateway pan-regional partnership.

  • Cambridge Discovery Campus: Socio-economic Impacts

    Hardisty Jones was commissioned by Bridgemere Land Ltd to support a planning application for a proposed innovation centre – the Cambridge Discovery Campus (CDC) – in Hauxton, South Cambridgeshire. Outline planning approval was granted in April 2024.

  • Severn Estuary Commission: Socio Economics Workstream

    Hardisty Jones Associates, in partnership with Oxford Economics and Arcadis, undertook research for the Severn Estuary Commissioners and Western Gateway Partnership to help understand the potential socio-economic effects of the development of tidal range power in the Severn Estuary.

  • Western Gateway Independent Economic Review update

    Hardisty Jones delivered a local economic analysis of the Western Gateway, looking at the area’s economic strengths, challenges, and opportunities. The report works to support and inform future policy direction and economic development for the Western Gateway pan-regional partnership.

About Us

HJA 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.

  • NPPF Reforms in Practice: Impacts on Employment Land Planning

    The release of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in mid-December has prompted a buzz of conversation in economic planning circles. Several clients have since approached us, keen to understand the impact of these reforms on how they plan for their local economy. This insight piece outlines our initial thoughts to help local and…

  • The Impact of New and Emerging Technology on Economic Development in the UK

    Technological development is expected to play an important role in re-assessing the supply and demand of commercial property. The application of artificial intelligence, robotics, development of smart cities and use of data centres are all expected to become increasingly important in the economy and will have ramifications for both the quantifiable demand for commercial property…

  • What does the new NPPF consultation mean for economic development?

    This insight piece sets out our thoughts on the updated NPPF (which recently went through its consultation stage) with the finalised document expected to be adopted later this year or early next year.

  • NPPF Reforms in Practice: Impacts on Employment Land Planning

    The release of the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in mid-December has prompted a buzz of conversation in economic planning circles. Several clients have since approached us, keen to understand the impact of these reforms on how they plan for their local economy. This insight piece outlines our initial thoughts to help local and…

  • The Impact of New and Emerging Technology on Economic Development in the UK

    Technological development is expected to play an important role in re-assessing the supply and demand of commercial property. The application of artificial intelligence, robotics, development of smart cities and use of data centres are all expected to become increasingly important in the economy and will have ramifications for both the quantifiable demand for commercial property…

  • Severn Estuary Commission Unveils Findings on Tidal Range Energy Potential

    Severn Estuary Commission releases its final report, setting out the potential for tidal range energy to contribute to the UK’s low-carbon future.

  • Planning application granted for Town Quay Marina in Southampton

    It’s fantastic to hear that planning permission has been granted for the regeneration of Town Quay Marina in Southampton.

  • MADE Partnership: Labour’s New Town Policy is Underway

    Labour's ambitious new towns policy is clearly underway with the news of a new MADE Partnership.

  • Severn Estuary Commission Unveils Findings on Tidal Range Energy Potential

    Severn Estuary Commission releases its final report, setting out the potential for tidal range energy to contribute to the UK’s low-carbon future.

  • Planning application granted for Town Quay Marina in Southampton

    It’s fantastic to hear that planning permission has been granted for the regeneration of Town Quay Marina in Southampton.

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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