Nexus Planning

Nexus
Analytics &
Research

Transform your planning with data-led evidence.

Data-led planning

Evidence that makes planning clearer

Insightful evidence, spatial analysis and research to help clients make informed decisions and support positive planning outcomes.

Nexus Analytics & Research is our dedicated in-house team of demographic, economic and Geographical Information Systems specialists.

We understand the challenges that come with selling the positives of a planning application or making an evidence base insightful and meaningful. NAR gives clients the analysis, mapping and research needed to explain need, impact, demand and opportunity with confidence.

The team has built a strong reputation across housing, education, health, retail, leisure and specialised accommodation sectors, often involving supply-demand analysis, population dynamics, challenging stated norms and using GIS mapping to visualise data, optimise land use and enhance planning accuracy.

Public and private

Evidence-based studies for clients across the UK and Ireland.

Supply and demand

Objective analysis of need, capacity, impact and market context.

GIS and graphics

Clear spatial outputs that make complex data easier to understand.

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Speak to Nexus
Need clearer evidence for your next planning decision?

Our Nexus Analytics & Research team can help with demographics, economics, GIS mapping, needs assessments, impact assessments and planning research.

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What we do

Analytics research and evidence

NAR brings together data, economics, demographics and spatial analysis to support planning strategy, applications and evidence-led decision-making.

Our work spans early-stage site strategy, needs and impact assessments, economic reports, GIS mapping, human health analysis and original research. Each output is tailored to the project, the audience and the planning question being answered.

Need Impact Economics Demographics GIS Research
01

Needs assessments

Objectively identifying need for housing, student and later living accommodation, retail and leisure floorspace, hotels, education, community facilities, open spaces and sports facilities.

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02

Impact assessments

Delivering NPPF-compliant impact assessments across town centre uses, hotel accommodation, sports and leisure, community infrastructure and other development proposals.

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03

Economic research

Conducting research for landowners, investors, developers and local authorities to demonstrate how development can support economic value, growth and local benefit.

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04

Demographics and health

Producing demographic, socio-economic and human health analysis, from Environmental Statement chapters and Health Impact Assessments to bespoke local area studies.

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05

Spatial analytics

Using GIS and census data tools to analyse planning policy, market trends and social change, then presenting complex information through accessible mapping and graphics.

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06

Thought leadership

Collaborating with Nexus colleagues, public bodies and private sector clients to develop original research on key planning issues, including retail, health and sustainability.

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Evidence outputs

From data to decisions

Clear analysis, visual evidence and planning-ready outputs.

Practical outputs

NAR turns complex evidence into outputs that planning officers, clients, councillors, stakeholders and communities can understand.

Reports, graphics and maps can be tailored to support early strategy, planning applications, Local Plan evidence, public engagement and decision-making.

Planning reports Structured evidence reports that explain need, impact, demand, capacity and local context.
Infographics Visual summaries that make economic benefits and evidence points easier to communicate.
GIS mapping Accessible mapping and graphics to show catchments, constraints, accessibility and spatial patterns.
Research insight Original research and evidence to support strategic planning, policy thinking and development positioning.
Clients and coverage

Insight across the UK and Ireland

NAR works with private sector clients, cultural institutions, major housebuilders, land promoters and public authorities to provide robust evidence and data-led planning strategies.

100+ Local authorities advised
UK + Ireland Evidence-led project coverage

Our work supports clients across residential development, retail, leisure, health, education, culture, logistics, town centres and specialist accommodation.

We bring together national datasets, local evidence, GIS mapping and planning judgement to create outputs that are robust, understandable and tailored to each project.

BBC logo
Taylor Wimpey logo
NHS Property Services logo
Barbican logo
Stonebond logo
Kingacre logo
Gleeson Land logo
Vistry Group logo
Crest Nicholson logo
Countryside Partnerships logo
Richborough Estates logo
Amazon logo
Public sector evidence Local authority support

NAR has supported local authorities with evidence base work, studies and assessments across the UK and Ireland.

Geographic evidence, local datasets and spatial analysis across multiple planning contexts.

Key contacts

Talk to the NAR team

We would be pleased to discuss how Nexus Analytics & Research can support your project.

Contact the team for evidence-led advice across demographics, economics, GIS mapping, needs assessments, impact assessments and planning research.

Selected project work

Evidence in action

NAR supports clients with evidence-led studies, spatial analysis and research that can inform planning strategy, Local Plans and development proposals.

These selected projects show how our team combines data, GIS, economic research and planning judgement to provide clear recommendations and practical outputs.

Open spaces Croydon Open Spaces Study
Client Croydon Borough Council Lead Rob Pearson Sector Nexus Analytics & Research

NAR worked with the London Borough of Croydon to analyse the Borough’s major open spaces in terms of footfall and dwell-time, helping to understand which spaces should receive protected status within the Local Plan.

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Retail and leisure Barbican Renewal Project
Client The Barbican Lead Rob Pearson Sector Nexus Analytics & Research

NAR was employed by the Barbican to understand how the underperforming food and beverage offer could be reinvigorated to attract a wider audience, using customer data and mobile API footfall analysis.

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Specialised housing Oadby & Wigston Specialised Housing Study
Client Oadby and Wigston Borough Council Lead Fiona Bruce Sector Nexus Analytics & Research

NAR, working with the later living team, was commissioned to carry out a Specialised Housing Study relating to the need for accommodation for older people and people with disabilities.

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Speak to Nexus

Need clearer evidence for your next planning decision?

Talk to Nexus Analytics & Research about the data, mapping and analysis needed to support your strategy, planning application or evidence base.