- Planning authority
- Dartford Borough Council
- Postcodes
- DA9, DA11
- Noon sun, 21 March
- About 39°
- Shadow from a 5 m eaves line
- About 6.3 m
- Planning plan
- Local Plan
- County
- Kent
What shapes a plot in Swanscombe
Bungalow plots in DA9 and DA11, as anywhere, come in many shapes: some are long and narrow, some wide and shallow, some on corners or bends. That is why we measure your plot on the ground rather than working from averages or maps alone.
The policies in the council’s Local Plan set the tests Dartford Borough Council applies to new homes on garden land. Its design guidance usually adds detail on spacing, building lines and roof heights, and those details matter a great deal on a single-storey road where one tall roof stands out.
How we’d take it forward in Swanscombe
Our first visit to a bungalow plot in Swanscombe focuses on four things: the width and depth of the land, the way in, the neighbouring homes and the look of the street. From that we can say which options are worth pursuing, which aren’t, and roughly how long each would usually take, given the surveys and reports the plot is likely to need.
Free plot appraisal
We look at the plot’s width and depth, the access, the planning history nearby and the character of the street, then talk through what you want. It’s free, with no obligation, and a site visit follows if it looks viable.
Compare the options
We sketch what could realistically fit: a home behind, a home beside, or a replacement scheme. You see the trade-offs for each, including what happens to your own garden and parking, before choosing a route.
Planning application
We prepare drawings and reports designed around single-storey neighbours and the street scene, usually seek pre-application advice, and submit. The council consults neighbours and makes the decision.
Sale or build
If you sell, your solicitor handles the transfer and any lender release. If we build, you receive a written quote after design and survey, and the new home is built and handed over to you.
Worth checking early
- Filling the gap beside a bungalow can change the look of the street, which councils weigh carefully.
- Covenants on older estates can limit building, and resolving one takes time and may cost money.
- Replacing the bungalow means moving out during demolition and building, which suits some owners and not others.
Swanscombe: questions to ask
How long does planning for a bungalow plot in Swanscombe usually take?
It varies. Surveys and design often take a few weeks to a few months, then the council needs time to decide. Pre-application advice, extra reports or design changes can add time. We give you a realistic idea after the appraisal.
Could I build a home for a relative on my bungalow plot in Swanscombe?
Yes, through our design and build route. You keep the land, and we design, get planning for and build the new home. A separate home needs planning permission; an annexe used as part of the main house is treated differently.
Do I need to sell my Swanscombe bungalow to develop the plot?
No. You can keep the bungalow and sell a plot, have us build on the land for you, or enter a joint venture. Replacing the bungalow is only one of several options, and staying put is often simpler.
How much garden does a bungalow in Swanscombe need to keep?
There’s no single figure. Councils look for enough private garden for both the existing home and the new one, and many have guidance on minimum garden sizes. We check your council’s guidance during the appraisal.
Other options in Swanscombe
- Sell part of your garden
- Planning promotion for your garden plot
- Large rear gardens
- Build a new home in your garden
- Combine gardens with your neighbours
- Planning permission for a garden plot