How long do planning decisions take near Bluewater?

The average planning decision time near Bluewater is 59 days. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for minor applications and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate near Bluewater?

The planning approval rate near Bluewater is 75%. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

What types of planning applications are most common near Bluewater?

The most common type of planning application near Bluewater is outline applications, with 4 submissions in the last 24 months.

How can I track planning applications near Bluewater?

You can search and track planning applications near Bluewater on Planning Signal. Create a free account to save searches, watch specific applications, and receive email alerts when new plans are submitted nearby.

Bluewater, Kent Planning Applications

Recent planning applications near Bluewater, Kent.

Kent · England · settlement

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About Bluewater

Bluewater Shopping Centre, located in Stone, Kent, just outside the M25 motorway, is one of the UK's largest retail destinations, covering 240 acres in a former chalk quarry. Since its opening in March 1999, it has become a significant hub, featuring 210 stores, 50 dining options, and a 17-screen cinema, attracting over 28 million visitors annually. With its strategic location near the A2 road and competitive proximity to Lakeside Shopping Centre, Bluewater plays a vital role in the local economy and planning landscape.

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Town Insights

Property Prices

Average property sale price: £327,890 (based on 50 recent transactions from HM Land Registry).

Area Information

Admin district: Dartford
Parliamentary constituency: Dartford
LSOA: Dartford 002F

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-02.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings near Bluewater.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications near Bluewater.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Bluewater based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Nearby Applications

9 planning applications found near Bluewater.

- Pirate Cove Adventure Golf Course Bluewater Shopping Centre Dartford Greenhithe DA9 9ST
Application for prior notification of proposed demolition under Schedule 2, Part 11 Class B of The Town & Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) of two areas within t
Status: Undecided | Type: Outline | Council: Dartford | Date: 2026-03-30
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- Land Through Chalk Spine Under B255 Bean Road Bluewater Shopping Centre And Eastern Quarry Dartford Greenhithe Kent DA9 9ST
Re-consultation from KCC on details of a Construction Management Plan (CMP) (Condition 5), details of a comprehensive Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) (Condition 6) and details of a Constru
Status: Permitted | Type: Outline | Council: Dartford | Date: 2026-02-10
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- Land Through Chalk Spine Under B255 Bean Road Bluewater Shopping Centre And Eastern Quarry Dartford Greenhithe Kent DA9 9ST
Re-consultation from KCC on details of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) pursuant to condition 4 of planning permission DA/24/985
Status: Permitted | Type: Outline | Council: Dartford | Date: 2026-01-16
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- Land through the chalk spine under the B255 Bean Road, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Eastern Quarry, Dartford, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9ST
Details of a Construction Management Plan (CMP) (Condition 5), details of a comprehensive Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) (Condition 6) and details of a Construction Environmental Manageme
Status: Undecided | Type: Conditions | Council: Kent | Date: 2025-12-16
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- Land through the chalk spine under the B255 Bean Road, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Eastern Quarry, Dartford, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9ST
Biodiversity Gain Plan
Status: Undecided | Council: Kent | Date: 2025-12-16
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- Land Through Chalk Spine Under B255 Bean Road Bluewater Shopping Centre And Eastern Quarry Dartford Greenhithe Kent DA9 9ST
Consultation from KCC on details of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) pursuant to condition 4 of planning permission DA/24/985
Status: Permitted | Type: Outline | Council: Dartford | Date: 2025-12-02
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- Land through the chalk spine under the B255 Bean Road, Bluewater Shopping Centre and Eastern Quarry, Dartford, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9ST
Details of a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) pursuant to condition 4 of planning permission DA/24/985
Status: Permitted | Type: Conditions | Council: Kent | Date: 2025-11-26
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25/01235/BNGBGP - Wintergarden Crescent Playground Bluewater Shopping Centre Dartford Greenhithe DA9 9ST
Submission of details relating to the Statutory Biodiversity Net Gain condition, pursuant to planning permission DA/25/00702/FUL for the removal of existing play equipment to allow for the redesign an
Status: Conditions | Council: Dartford | Date: 2025-10-29
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- Thames Walk Car Park Bluewater Shopping Centre Bluewater Parkway Greenhithe DA9 9ST Kent
Non-material amendment following grant of planning permission DA/22/00779/FUL for minor alterations to the internal and external design including the addition of two external kitchen pods and associat
Status: Permitted | Type: Amendment | Council: Dartford | Date: 2023-12-21
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A brief summary of Bluewater in Kent

Property prices in Bluewater show an average sale price of £327,890, based on 50 recent transactions recorded by HM Land Registry.

There were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period. This makes Bluewater a particularly low-crime area.

Bluewater has one conservation area within its boundaries: Greenhithe. Planning applications within or near this conservation area are subject to additional scrutiny to preserve the architectural and historic character of the area. Homeowners and developers should be aware that permitted development rights may be restricted.

Ecology & Nature Designations

The area around Bluewater includes 3 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): Swanscombe Skull Site SSSI, Darenth Wood SSSI, Swanscombe Peninsula SSSI; 10 Ancient Woodland sites. These designations may affect planning decisions, as proposals near protected sites require environmental impact assessment and may face additional restrictions.

For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Bluewater planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.

Planning Activity in Bluewater

In the last 24 months, 16 planning applications were submitted near Bluewater. Of these, 75% were approved, with an average decision time of 59 days.

This is below the national average of approximately 87%, which may reflect stricter local policies, sensitivity of the area, or higher levels of speculative applications. Pre-application advice is particularly worthwhile near Bluewater.

At 59 days on average, decisions near Bluewater slightly exceed the 8-week statutory target for minor applications, though this is common across many councils.

The most common application types near Bluewater were outline applications (4), full planning applications (3), discharge of conditions (3).

In terms of development scale, 2 medium-scale applications, 14 smaller schemes were submitted.

1 planning appeal was lodged, of which 0 were allowed and 1 was dismissed (0% success rate). This low success rate indicates that the council's refusal decisions are generally upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.

Nearby Towns

Explore planning applications in nearby areas:

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.