Planning permission in Dartford

In the last 12 months, 75.5% of home project applications were approved in Dartford (204 decided): extensions, loft conversions and similar work. A typical home project decision takes about eight weeks (median 57 days).

Across all application types, 82.7% of 2,663 applications decided since January 2023 were approved. Based on Dartford's public planning register. Data last updated: 8 April 2026.

3,154Total applications

2,663Decided

82.7%Approval rate (of decided)

2,201 Approved+462 Refused+92 Withdrawn+242 Pending+157 Outcome not determined=3,154 Total

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By Development Category

All applications on record, not only the last 12 months.

Category	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Full planning applications	1,226	972	254	79.3%
Discharging planning conditions	386	346	40	89.6%
Certificate of lawfulness (confirming permitted development)	274	253	21	92.3%
Protected tree works (TPO)	243	216	27	88.9%
General Permitted Dev - Extensions	127	88	39	69.3%
Minor amendment to an approved scheme (S96a)	89	75	14	84.3%
Advertisement Consent	58	35	23	60.3%
Changing a planning condition (S73)	56	50	6	89.3%
Change of Use	46	30	16	65.2%
Outside Borough Boundary	26	25	1	96.2%
Listed Building Consent	20	19	1	95.0%
Other*	112	92	20	mixed types

* Other combines smaller categories: Tree works in a conservation area (18), CPO Consultation with County Planning (15), Consultation by EDC to DBC (15), Prior approval (permitted development) (8), Phone masts and telecoms (8), Sched 2 part 14 class J (8), Environmental impact screening and scoping (7), Outline Planning (5), Section 106 Conditions (5), Adding storeys (prior approval, Class AA) (4), Demolition (3), Reserved matters (detail after outline approval) (2), Permission in Principal (2), Public Call Box (2), agr to flex use (2), AGR Agricultural (2), Biodiversity Gain Plan (2), FUL Public Services Infrastructure (1), Marine Licence Application (1), Nationally Significant Infrastructure Pr (1), Technical Details Consent - Minor (1).

Quarterly Trend

The most recent three years. Earlier decisions are included in the totals above but not in this chart.

Quarter	Decided	Approved	Approval rate
Q3 2023	118	97	82.2%
Q4 2023	227	197	86.8%
Q1 2024	198	166	83.8%
Q2 2024	236	189	80.1%
Q3 2024	212	182	85.8%
Q4 2024	247	197	79.8%
Q1 2025	195	166	85.1%
Q2 2025	247	208	84.2%
Q3 2025	283	233	82.3%
Q4 2025	266	206	77.4%
Q1 2026	222	183	82.4%
Q2 2026	23	20	87.0%

By Ward

The 12 wards with the most decided applications, across all years. 256 further decided applications fall in wards not shown.

Among wards with at least 20 decided applications, approval rates range from 77.6% in Newtown to 89.9% in Stone Castle, a gap of 12.3 percentage points.

Ward	Decided	Approved	Refused	Approval rate
Longfield, New Barn & Southfleet	363	285	78	78.5%
Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone & Hawley	249	198	51	79.5%
Joydens Wood	240	202	38	84.2%
Town	230	194	36	84.3%
Stone Castle	217	195	22	89.9%
West Hill	140	116	24	82.9%
Brent	139	117	22	84.2%
Newtown	125	97	28	77.6%
Heath	124	102	22	82.3%
Princes	115	96	19	83.5%
Swanscombe	111	89	22	80.2%
Greenhithe & Knockhall	95	81	14	85.3%

Frequently asked questions

What is the planning approval rate in Dartford?

In the last 12 months, 75.5% of home project applications (extensions, loft conversions and similar work) were approved in Dartford, based on 204 decided applications. Across all application types, 82.7% of 2,663 applications decided since January 2023 were approved.

How long does a planning decision take in Dartford?

The median time from submission to decision for home project applications decided in Dartford in the last 12 months was 57 days (about eight weeks). Times vary case by case.

Do I need planning permission in Dartford?

It depends on the project and the property. Many home projects fall under permitted development rights, but constraints such as conservation areas, listed buildings and Article 4 directions change what needs permission at a specific address. See our guides to permitted development rights and Article 4 directions.

Do I need a planning consultant in Dartford?

Many home projects do not need one. A straightforward extension on an unconstrained property is often handled directly with the council, or with an architect or agent preparing the drawings. A consultant is more likely to earn their fee where the site is constrained, the council has refused similar schemes, or an appeal is in prospect. Understanding your property's constraints and the council's recent decisions first makes any conversation with a professional a better-informed one.

Planning guides

Not sure what you can build without planning permission? See our guides to permitted development rights, Article 4 directions and planning costs.

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