What is the strategy and why is it special?
The Lower Darent Riverside Strategy (also known as the riverside strategy) is an award-winning and practical strategy to secure sustainable development along the River Darent. It extends to the confluence of the Darent with the River Thames. Dartford has seen the second highest rate of residential growth in the country, and is located in the Thames Estuary, where current flood defences protecting London and surrounding areas are ageing and face big challenges from climate change.
The riverside strategy sets out steps and options for an attractive, joined up approach to the riverside and surrounding areas to manage increasing flood risk and coordinate development.
By promoting an approach where nature and human systems are integrated into place-making design, the strategy will realise environmental, economic and social benefits in the river corridor. Management of increasing flood risk due to climate change is proposed through nature-based approaches where feasible, and flood defence treatments that encourage the community to interact with the river.
The riverside strategy was a double award winner for Dartford Borough Council and consultants Arup at the 2025 RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Awards for Planning Excellence.
On November 27, 2025, the riverside strategy won:
- The award for excellence in planning for the natural environment, and
- The national competition’s overall award ‘The Silver Jubilee Cup’.
The Awards for Planning Excellence judges said:
“The project stands out for embedding flood alleviation at the heart of its design and delivery. It offers valuable lessons on a challenge that is being faced by many communities, demonstrating a collaborative and forward-thinking approach that fosters innovation and shared learning. By adopting an ecosystems-focused framework, the strategy delivers sustainable, resilient, and lasting benefits for both people and the natural environment.”