Policy information sourced from the Dartford Development Policies Plan
DP8: Residential Space and Design in New Development
The design of new residential development will only be permitted where the quality, scale, and form of internal and external spaces created within the development provide for a choice of garden/ amenity space sizes and accessible/ adaptable dwellings, accord with criteria 2-4 below, and:
- for Class C3, dwellings meet Nationally Described Space Standards unless clearly shown to be unnecessary or unviable due to site specific circumstances;
- for all residential development (Classes C2 and C3), developments satisfy essential principles of good quality design, including sufficient greenspace, Policy DP2 and amenity factors in DP5:1, including overshadowing and provision of daylight and direct sunlight, and other material considerations.
Accessible/ Adaptable Accommodation
Development should contribute to the accommodation requirements of residents with restricted mobility, or as they age. Accessible/ adaptable accommodation should be maximised on each site under Core Strategy Policy CS18:1c. Proposals to construct new dwellings (Class C3) that do not include any Category M4(2) units for accessible and adaptable dwellings - or Category M4(3) units for wheelchair adaptable dwellings - within each housing tenure should provide a robust justification, otherwise permission will not normally be granted.
Private Amenity Spaces
All sites for new dwellings (Class C3) shall provide a range of useable size and good quality of private amenity spaces (including residential gardens and balconies). Development will not be permitted where provision is insufficient in these respects; or where garden space for storage, access to daylight and direct sunlight, or privacy, overlooking and overshadowing is unacceptable.
Communal Open Space
All residential developments of 100 new dwellings in Class C3 or larger (or equivalent scale for Class C2) will only be permitted where provision is made for inviting and accessible communal open space serving the community it serves. Proposals will be assessed against considerations within clause 1 above, as applicable. Communal open space will include a scheme for both hard and soft landscaping, and a mechanism that arranges for its on-going management and maintenance for the long-term.
For more information please see the Development Policies Plan