Policy information sourced from the Dartford Development Policies Plan

DP16: Dartford Town Centre’s Secondary Areas

Secondary Frontage

In Dartford Town Centre’s Secondary Frontage, in order to support the vitality and viability of the centre, a predominance of A1-A4 uses will be supported. Other main town centre uses in the NPPF, as well as other non-residential institutions (D1), will be considered with respect to their contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre and taking full account of the following criteria:

  • The objective to retain a predominance of A1-A4 uses
  • The potential impact of the proposal on the strength of the retail and leisure function with regard to the width of frontage and prominence of the location
  • The ability of the proposal to attract a high footfall during normal shopping hours, as compared to alternative active uses, and the potential of the use to encourage linked trips
  • The synergy of the proposed use with other town centre uses (including, where appropriate, compliance with DP19 and DP5)
  • The ability of the proposal to maintain a shop-front

Residential uses will be permissible through appropriate redevelopment primarily above and behind frontages, where satisfying criteria a) – e).

Non-designated Town Centre Frontage

Outside of the designated frontages, a more diverse offer of main town centre uses as well as non-residential institutions will be supported, subject to:

  • demonstrating a contribution to improving the vitality and viability of the town centre, including through marketing evidence.
  • demonstrating that the proposal would not result in a concentration of any one non-retail or leisure use
  • compliance with other Local Plan policies.

Residential uses will be encouraged as part of a wider mix of active uses, subject to promoting active street frontages and a variety of uses at street level.

For more information please see the Development Policies Plan