Purposeful Planning Solutions for the Historic Environment
About HAPRO Ltd
Conservation of the historic environment is about managing change not denying the force of change
Your heritage planning success is our ambition
Our Approach to Heritage Planning
At HAPRO we believe that the historic environment does not need to be a constraint to development or change.
Planning is important to ensure that the right development happens in the right place at the right time, benefitting communities and the economy.
The historic environment can play a critical role in planning by helping:
- to identify what development is needed and where it is suitable,
- to be the source of inspiration for regeneration,
- to provide context and a meaningful narrative to new development,
- to celebrate and preserve important elements of the past, or
- to provide an opportunity to enhance or better reveal heritage assets through the planning system.
HAPRO works with you to identify what is important, why it is important, the capacity of a building, site or area has to accommodate proposed change and, if necessary, suggest how the design of a scheme can reduce or avoid harm to heritage assets ensuring a successful planning outcome for development and heritage assets.
We aspire to meeting our client's needs and exceeding their expectations in the most effective and efficient way possible and to the best professional standards via our four guiding principles.
Proportionate
From initial enquiry through to report delivery we respond swiftly to provide timely and proportionate advice throughout your project and seek to work with you to ensure your project keeps on track with budget and time.
Professional
With in-depth knowledge and extensive experience of heritage planning, policies and legislation you can be assured of a detailed understanding and awareness of the heritage constraints and opportunities of your scheme to the highest standard.
Precision
We pride ourselves on providing robust, clear and consistent consultancy so you can be confident that you are getting the most efficient and effective advice and service possible at every stage of your project.
Personal
Your project is important to you and we appreciate that. Each project is unique so we seek to to work collaboratively by understand your project goals and timescales from the outset, providing you with honest, direct and clear advise to ensure a successful planning outcome.
About the Practice
HAPRO was established in 2025 to provide astute planning advice to our clients when they encounter the historic environment; whether buried archaeological remains, historic architecture, buildings and conservation areas or historical landscapes such as parks and gardens.
By proposing solutions to heritage challenges we strive to ensure that our client's schemes and proposals integrate with the historic environment for purposeful planning outcomes.
We work for various development and commercial sectors:
- Residential
- Commercial/Mixed Use
- Education
- Civic
- On shore Renewable Energy
- Battery Energy Storage
- Brownfield and Urban Regeneration
- Strategic Land
- Estates and Land Management
The driving force behind HAPRO is Paul White who has 30 years’ experience in providing heritage, landscape archaeology and archaeological services to a range of development and environmental sector. He is passionate about inter-disciplinary working which for him is critical to solving challenging planning problems, as well as addressing the impact climate change and net zero proposals will have on the historic environment. Collaborative working offers the opportunity to take a new perspective on issues and this approach drives our enthusiasm for delivering sustainable development for our clients.
Paul White, BA (Hons) MPhil MICfA PIEMA
Founder and MD
Prior to creating HAPRO in 2025 Paul established the well-regarded historic environment team at Ecus Ltd in 2013 growing the team whilst building a reputation for clear, concise and robust assessments for local authorities, national agencies and private developers and individuals.
He has provided advice on heritage and historic landscape issues on schemes including local authorities, national agencies, private development, energy and transport infrastructure, and preparing local to national strategies for organisations such as English Heritage, RSPB and the National Trust.
He specialises in the assessment of heritage significance and has worked with Historic England on strategic reviews and studies for the consideration of designation of different types of heritage assets.
His expertise as a heritage professional and his judgement upon aspects such as the setting of heritage assets and valuing the significance of heritage assets has been tested at planning appeals which include public inquiries and informal appeal hearings.
When not in the office Paul enjoys spending time with his family, exploring the landscape on foot or bike with friends, but is happiest when messing about in or on water, whether sea swimming, paddle boarding or sailing. He continues to pursue the dream of completing a sub two-hour half marathon at his age.
