Dartford in Kent includes Dartford town, Greenhithe, and Swanscombe. About 56.3% of the borough is Green Belt, framing development around settlements. Planning balances residential growth with protection of open countryside.
In the last year Dartford decided 596 applications which is well below the national average of 959. The approval rate was 77% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 71% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 58%). Stats updated October 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Dartford performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 56.3% of Dartford is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt near Dartford town constrains growth to protect countryside and maintain gaps with neighbouring settlements.
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.
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:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
Dartford in Kent includes Dartford town, Greenhithe, and Swanscombe. About 56.3% of the borough is Green Belt, framing development around settlements. Planning balances residential growth with protection of open countryside.
In the last year Dartford decided 596 applications which is well below the national average of 959. The approval rate was 77% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 71% of applications were decided on time, (significantly above the national average of 58%). Stats updated October 2026 from gov.uk sources. See how Dartford performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 56.3% of Dartford is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to very high levels of scrutiny.
The Green Belt near Dartford town constrains growth to protect countryside and maintain gaps with neighbouring settlements.
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.
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:
Thoughtful, well-considered design is often the key to securing Planning Permission, particularly on sites where others struggle to find a way forward. Let’s discuss your project.
