Policy information sourced from the Dartford Development Policies Plan
DP24: Open Space
Development on playing fields, sports pitches, and any land shown on the Policies Map as Borough Open Space, will not be permitted unless it is clearly demonstrated that one of the following criteria is satisfied:
- Where the sports/ open/ green space will be retained in its current primary function, with development limited to a small proportion of land, the proposal must support or enhance the existing space in this overall role. The proposal must not lead to any significant loss or deterioration in quantity and level of open space/ recreational provision.
- Where development will result in a significant loss in the quantity of open space or loss of sports pitches, replacement provision will be delivered within accessible walking distance of the site; unless it is clearly demonstrated that the existing provision is surplus to current and future requirements for sports and recreation in the locality and the Borough, the amenity and health/ wellbeing of residents and/ or biodiversity. The replacement must be shown to be of an equivalent type and of equal or greater quantity and quality to that being lost.
Development of non-designated public amenity space will only be permitted where a convincing case is made in justification. This must take account of:
- the qualitative and quantitative value of the existing function in providing usable open space, relative to the value of alternative provision easily available in the locality, and;
- national policy and the benefits/ dis-benefits demonstrated to arise from the specific development proposal.
For more information please see the Development Policies Plan