HMO Update: Conservatives wave through another HMO in Newtown.

Since 2020, 100% of HMO applications that have reached Dartford’s Development Control Board have been APPROVED.

Residents objected. The application went before their elected representatives. And Dartford Borough Council's Conservative councillors used their majority to approve it anyway.

The latest case is The Woodman on East Hill, where plans for a 5-bedroom, 6-person HMO came before Dartford Borough Council’s Development Control Board on 17 September. This matters because many planning applications never reach councillors at all. Under Dartford’s current rules, where enough residents object to an application that planning officers are recommending for approval, the decision can be triggered to go before the Development Control Board — giving the councillors YOU elected the chance to represent your wishes.

So what happens when residents successfully get an HMO application in front of their elected representatives? Since 2020, 100% of HMO applications that have reached Dartford’s Development Control Board have been APPROVED. And now The Woodman joins that list.

Despite residents taking the time to object and raise their concerns, Conservative councillors used their majority on the Board to push the application through. And it wasn’t just residents raising concerns. Kent County Council Highways had also raised concerns over the impact on parking and highway safety — but the Conservative majority approved the HMO regardless.

And this is happening while the number of HMO planning applications coming forward in Dartford has risen dramatically.

Dartford Reform has consistently stood with residents. We have worked to alert communities when HMO applications are submitted, make sure residents know about their right to object, help people get their concerns heard and ensure controversial applications receive a proper level of democratic scrutiny.

 Residents are doing their bit. They are spotting applications, organising, submitting objections and getting their concerns in front of elected representatives. But what is the point of democratic scrutiny if Dartford’s Conservative majority simply ignores those concerns and waves the applications through?

 We will continue fighting to make sure Dartford residents know what is being proposed in their neighbourhoods, know their rights and have their voices heard. Dartford residents deserve to be listened to