Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan
Policy D1: Central Dartford Strategy
The high quality transformation of Central Dartford is actively supported as a destination to invest, be productive and creative, visit for shopping, leisure and services, and as a place to call home. Valued, good quality buildings and spaces will be repurposed, enhanced and better used. Development in and around the Town Centre will bring an expanded range of activities and services to the town including cultural and creative facilities, increasing economic vitality and the choice of jobs, providing new infrastructure, and will grow the resident community. In this respect, the following will apply:
- Current projects and strategic plans will continue to advance, including with reference to Diagram 5, leading to completion of: the sympathetic refurbishment of the Town Centre’s key streets, public spaces and historic buildings; transport and movement improvements; the renewal of Lowfeld Street/ Brewery Square (Market Street)/ High Street; and the successful redevelopment of the Westgate and Priory Centre sites.
- There will be signifcant further progress in and on the edge of the Town Centre. It will change, with a focus on:
- Current projects and strategic plans will continue to advance, including with reference to Diagram 5, leading to completion of: the sympathetic refurbishment of the Town Centre’s key streets, public spaces and historic buildings; transport and movement improvements; the renewal of Lowfeld Street/ Brewery Square (Market Street)/ High Street; and the successful redevelopment of the Westgate and Priory Centre sites.
- There will be signifcant further progress in and on the edge of the Town Centre. It will change, with a focus on:
The Council and partners will:
- Promote redevelopment of large/ unappealing buildings and under-used land/ buildings where they are no longer contributing positively to Dartford’s environment or commercial or cultural ofer. Appropriate short term meanwhile use of vacant premises and/ or land is encouraged.
- Support the strong contribution made by the Orchard Theatre, street market and independent traders, to retain Dartford’s identity and vitality.
- Plan ahead with providers and landowners to reserve land for public/ community service provision in advance of occupation of new dwellings.
- Further enhance the public realm and connectivity, and the setting of heritage assets, with refurbished streets and green routes for pedestrians and cyclists. This will feature public spaces, squares or pocket parks as focal points for the Town Centre, with a high class street scene, public art and new riverside environment, and hard/ soft landscaping and shelter, including new trees.
- Encourage access between the River Darent, the railway station and the Town Centre, particularly through wayfnding, upgrading of public spaces and currently unappealing environments, and overcoming severances to pedestrian and cycle movement created by the ring road (Home Gardens/ Westgate Street) and the railway embankment.
- Secure major transport investment to: mitigate the current adverse impacts of trafc congestion; increase public transport capacity and services, reducing dependency on car travel; and enhance walking and cycling. The Council will seek full integration of rail, bus and Fastrack services, particularly at a new railway station and with new rail services for Dartford.
- Seek parking that is fexible to use and promotes multi-purpose town centre visits. The Council will undertake a review of the parking strategy, looking at changing usage and the requirements of current and future residents, employees and visitors for short and long stay vehicle parking.
Through allocations and existing planning permissions, 2,200 new homes are expected to be delivered in Central Dartford, and additional dwellings will be supported in the plan period, consistent with these principles and other policies.
Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan