Permitted development in Dartford
Many home extensions across Dartford — Dartford, Stone, Greenhithe and Swanscombe and the surrounding area — are "permitted development" and don't need a planning application, as long as they stay inside the GPDO 2015 limits. But those rights are reduced or removed by a conservation area, an Article 4 direction, or being in Metropolitan Green Belt (across the south of the borough, including Dartford Marshes). Buildwise reads your postcode, flags the constraints that apply in Dartford, and tells you where you stand — free.
Lawful in Dartford — and provable
If your project is permitted development, a Lawful Development Certificate is a formal Dartford confirmation that it's lawful — invaluable when you sell, and proof if a neighbour ever questions it. If you need Prior Approval (like a larger rear extension) Buildwise produces the right statement for that instead. Where a full application is needed, it engages Dartford's adopted policies (S1 (Borough Spatial Strategy), M1 (Good Design for Dartford)) directly.
- The Dartford Plan — Local Plan to 2037 (adopted 22 April 2024)
How it works
Postcode + project type; Dartford constraints detected automatically.
Sizes, heights and boundaries — a few minutes.
Permitted → LDC statement; needs prior approval or permission → the right document for that.
Example (excerpt)
"The single-storey rear extension does not exceed the depth, height and eaves limits of Class A of the GPDO 2015, and the site lies outside any Article 4 direction. The proposal is therefore lawful development, for which a certificate is sought under s.192 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990…"
Frequently asked questions
Run Buildwise's free permitted-development check for your Dartford postcode. It tests your project against the GPDO 2015 limits and flags local constraints — conservation areas, Article 4 directions and the Metropolitan Green Belt (across the south of the borough, including Dartford Marshes) — that can remove permitted-development rights.
A Lawful Development Certificate (LDC) is a formal confirmation from Dartford that your work is lawful permitted development. It isn't compulsory, but it's strongly recommended — especially before selling. Buildwise generates the supporting statement.
Larger rear extensions and some other classes need a prior-approval notification rather than a full application. Buildwise detects this and produces the right supporting statement.
Yes — the permitted development check is always free, for everyone, and no card is needed. If you go on to generate a Planning Statement, LDC or Prior Approval statement, those are £95 each.
Check your Dartford project free — no card needed.
The Permitted Development check is free — no card needed. Planning documents are £95 each, with your practice’s logo on every one.
Get started free →