Policy information sourced from the Dartford Core Strategy

CS 17: Design of Homes

To achieve living environments that enrich the quality of life and provide the conditions for communities to flourish the Council will:

  • Require the application of the principles of the Kent Design Guide in developing housing proposals
  • Require that the criteria identified as locally important are addressed in the design of homes. These include:
    • Internal spaces that are appropriate and fit for purpose
    • Adequate internal storage and recycling storage space
    • Garages, where provided, are of a fit for purpose size
    • Secure arrangements for management and maintenance of communal areas.
    • Useable private amenity space, usually provided as a garden in family houses and a balcony, patio or roof garden in flats.
    • High quality communal open space
    • Priority for those on foot or bicycle in internal estate roads

Further policies and guidance on these matters will be set out in the Development Management DPD and SPD’s.

Sites will be developed at a variety of densities, depending on their location and accessibility to public transport. The form and density of housing will vary across the larger sites, in response to accessibility and other characteristics of each part of the site. Variations in density across a site should be used to develop different character areas.

Broad indications of appropriate average net densities are as follows:

  • Rural Village sites: below 40 dwellings/ha
  • Dartford town centre, Northern Gateway, Ebbsfleet Valley Strategic Site, Thames riverside sites (outside Conservation Area) and other major sites which integrate Fastrack: over 50 dwellings/ha
  • Other urban sites: 35-55 dwellings/ha

For more information please see the Core Strategy