Policy information sourced from the Dartford Development Policies Plan

DP22: Green Belt in the Borough

Dartford’s Green Belt is shown on the Policies Map, and its essential characteristics are its openness and permanence. Inappropriate development in the Green Belt will be resisted in accordance with national planning policy.

Inappropriate development is by definition harmful to the Green Belt and will only be approved in very special circumstances. Very special circumstances will not exist unless potential harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations.

In assessing other harm, the Local Planning Authority will use the following criteria:

  • the extent of intensification of the use of the site;
  • the impact of an increase in activity and disturbance resulting from the development, both on and off the site, including traffic movement and parking, light pollution and noise;
  • the impact on biodiversity and wildlife;
  • the impact on visual amenity or character taking into account the extent of screening required;
  • impacts arising from infrastructure required by the development.

Where developments are considered not inappropriate in line with national planning policy, they will be supported where they contribute to the Core Strategy (CS13) policy objective of conserving the Green Belt as a recreational, ecological and agricultural resource. Such developments will also be assessed against the following clauses where applicable.

Re-use of Buildings

Applications for re-use should relate to lawful permanent buildings of substantial construction. They should take into account the character and scale of the existing building(s). In circumstances where character and scale are important to the local setting, excessive external alterations and additions will not be permitted.

Replacement Buildings

The replacement of a building will be permitted where:

  • The replacement building remains in the same use; and
  • The replacement building will not be materially larger than the existing building it replaces, taking into account bulk, height, massing and scale. As a replacement, the building should be limited to an expansion of no more than 30% volume of the original building.

Extensions to Buildings

Extensions to buildings will be permitted where:

  • They are proportionate and subservient in appearance, bulk, massing and scale of the original building; and
  • The proposal would not result in a disproportionate addition to the original building. The extension must constitute no more than a 30% volumetric increase over and above the original building, and maximising the footprint of the building will not be appropriate in every circumstance.

Infilling or Redevelopment of Previously Developed Sites

Proposals should not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development. Developments that lead to over-intensification of the site will not be permitted.

Agricultural Development

Development should not result in the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land and should not impede the continuation of a lawfully existing agricultural development and/ or land use.

The change of use of an agricultural building should, where planning permission is required, demonstrate it is no longer needed for its current or intended agricultural use and should not result in a need to create any further building(s) to replace it.

New agricultural buildings will be permitted where it can be demonstrated that there is a need for the proposed development and where they are sited and designed to minimise their impacts as outlined in clause 3.

Proposals for farm diversification, including shops, processing, workshops or sports and recreation, should be ancillary to the existing main use. It should be demonstrated that the activity is related to the main farm use and that the proposal will not create the need for new buildings or supporting infrastructure and facilities that may harm rural character.

Equine Development

Proposals for the use of land for horses or for the erection of stables and associated facilities and/ or operational development will be carefully considered. Assessment will include the location/ layout of all structures; and quality of the provision and landscaping proposed.

Development for Outdoor Sport and Recreation

Proposals for outdoor sport and recreation should not materially impact on the character and amenity of the locality or result in the deterioration of the land, landscape or biodiversity. The scale, siting, design, use and level of activity of built recreation development will be taken into account when assessing the impact of a proposal.

Supporting infrastructure and facilities should not unacceptably harm local character. They should be directly associated with the main use and be of a scale, quality and design to minimise their impact.

For more information please see the Development Policies Plan