Gravesham in Kent includes Gravesend, Northfleet, and Higham. About 76.8% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping the edges of settlements and controlling urban expansion. Known for historic market towns and riverside heritage, planning balances growth with countryside protection.
In the last year Gravesham decided 627 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 72% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 63% of applications were decided on time, (slightly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Gravesham performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 76.8% of Gravesham is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt areas around Gravesend and Meopham are sensitive to development due to settlement separation and the need to protect countryside character.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
The tidal Thames runs along the entire northern boundary of the borough, with substantial areas of low-lying land in Flood Zone 3 that limit development potential in riverside locations.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
Gravesham in Kent includes Gravesend, Northfleet, and Higham. About 76.8% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping the edges of settlements and controlling urban expansion. Known for historic market towns and riverside heritage, planning balances growth with countryside protection.
In the last year Gravesham decided 627 applications which is well below the national average of 988. The approval rate was 72% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 63% of applications were decided on time, (slightly above the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Gravesham performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 76.8% of Gravesham is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt areas around Gravesend and Meopham are sensitive to development due to settlement separation and the need to protect countryside character.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
The tidal Thames runs along the entire northern boundary of the borough, with substantial areas of low-lying land in Flood Zone 3 that limit development potential in riverside locations.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
Alongside acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with 25+ years of experience. We advise on and prepare planning applications across a range of development types, including:
Creative architectural design is often what secures Planning Permission where standard approaches fall short. Tell us about your project.
