New planning rules for Houses of Multiple Occupancy
At a meeting of the full Council on December 8, 2025 (General Assembly of the Council) a decision was made to bring into force immediately an Article 4 Direction, covering the area of the Borough north of the A2.
This requires planning permission for the conversion of houses into Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) where there are up to six occupants.
At the same meeting Councillors agreed to notify a non-immediate Article 4 Direction for proposed HMOs the area to the south of the A2. If confirmed this will come into effect on December 10,2026.
Find out more about the new powers and have your say.
The Local Development Scheme
The Council has produced a brand new programme of proposed planning policies. This is the formal local development scheme that informs the public, landowners and infrastructure providers of the planning policies expected to emerge in Dartford in the next couple of years and an outline of the chances to get involved and public consultations ahead. There will be new guidelines for planning applications.
Dartford’s approach now (confirmed through this programme) is to retain and build on the successful 2024 adopted Dartford Plan. In particular with a select range of new supplementary policies for drafting and consideration.
Check out the new Local Development Scheme to find out what the future holds for Dartford planning strategies.
Planning excellence: The Lower Darent Riverside Strategy
Dartford’s pioneering strategy for our local river at Central Park, in Dartford town centre, and at Dartford Marshes wins the overall excellence award by the professional body RTPI, and also the natural environment planning award.
View The Lower Darent Riverside Strategy.
Dartford’s housing land: The deliverable five year supply 2025/26
The statement linked above identifies future housing sites from 2025/26 that are deliverable and sufficient to meet requirements for over five years as required by government.
Introducing: The Dartford Borough Council Community Infrastructure Fund
New funding for local projects, paid for by Dartford Borough Council's CIL contributions from developers, has been launched. Working with the Kent Community Foundation it supports community and voluntary groups in the parts of Dartford without a town/parish council.
The basis for deciding planning applications: The Dartford Plan
Dartford has a Local Plan that is up-to-date (adopted April 2024) and sets a clear development strategy and planning policies for the whole Borough.
Have your say and managing your contact information
It is easy to let us know that you would or would not like to be kept informed of Dartford Planning Strategy and Infrastructure consultations and updates.
Please complete this online form.
Another way to let us know you no longer wish us to retain your details for consultations is to email localplan@dartford.gov.uk.
The Dartford Statement of Community Involvement sets out how Borough planning will involve the public.
Further information
For further information on any of these topics please contact Dartford Planning Strategy using the contact form.