Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan

Policy M22: District and Local Centres

Mixed use development within District and Local Centres will be acceptable where:

  • At ground floor level, one or more viable modern commercial/ community units are provided for suitable active uses in line with criterion 2 or 3 as applicable, and is of proportionate scale and form to the vitality and purpose of the centre (Table 10); and
  • It is demonstrated to improve the local environment of the centre.

District Centres

Change of use requiring planning permission, including from Use Class E, F or sui generis use will be permitted at District Centres where the proposed use provides a service to visiting public and:

  • more than 50% of the ground floor units are retained in Use Classes E and F use; and
  • the existing unit is vacant and has been demonstrated to be not viable for Use Class E, F through sufficient effective marketing

Local Centres

Change of use, requiring planning permission, will be permitted where two or more units within Use Classes E or F2 are to be retained within the Centre and:

  • the prospective activity is not already provided within the centre, and is non-residential; or
  • the existing unit is vacant and has been demonstrated to be not viable for any Use Class E use through sufficient effective marketing.

For criteria 2 and 3 above, where applicable marketing should be proactive and for a continuous period of 12 months or more, using a professional agent and an appropriate range of online, on-site and other advertising media. The asking price should be demonstrated to be reasonable for the lawful or policy compliant use, and reflecting the property and location; applying throughout the marketing period.

Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan