Dartford Reform

17/10/2026

Our very own Dartford West county councillor, Beverley Fordham, joined Suella Braverman MP last night for a discussion and Q&A on education, exploring how Reform can improve the system and deliver better outcomes for our young people.

Fantastic to see a packed room and so much enthusiasm for change! 🩵🇬🇧

16/10/2026

16/10/2026

🚨 ANOTHER HMO APPROVED BY CONSERVATIVE-CONTROLLED DARTFORD COUNCIL!

Every single HMO application identified as coming before Dartford's Development Control Board since 2018 has been APPROVED.

And yesterday, another one was added to that record.

The Conservative-controlled Dartford Borough Council approved plans to convert 11A Whitby Close, Stone, into a six-bedroom, six-person House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

This was despite objections from residents at 12 separate addresses, Stone Town Council and a Reform UK Kent County Councillor.

And it comes at a time when Dartford is experiencing a dramatic increase in HMO applications - something the Council itself has acknowledged.

SO WHY WAS THIS APPLICATION APPROVED?

🚗 PARKING: The planning officer relied on three proposed parking spaces meeting the Council's numerical standard. But that doesn't establish whether six independently living adults, their visitors and any additional vehicles could increase parking pressure on surrounding roads.

🏠 NOISE AND NEIGHBOURING HOMES: The officer compared six unrelated HMO occupants with a family of six living in the property. But six adults with separate working hours, visitors and daily routines are not necessarily comparable to a single household. The potential impact on neighbours deserves more than a simple comparison of numbers.

🔊 SOUND INSULATION: The officer acknowledged that detailed sound-insulation proposals had not been provided. Yet approval was recommended anyway, leaving those details to be agreed later, before occupation.

🚨 RESIDENTS' OBJECTIONS: Local residents and Stone Town Council raised concerns about parking, highway safety, noise and the character of their neighbourhood. Those concerns were recorded, but the officer concluded they did not justify refusal.

And once again, the Development Control Board approved the application.

This raises a fundamental question:

Are Conservative councillors independently scrutinising officers' recommendations, or has the Development Control Board become little more than a rubber stamp for HMO approvals?

The Council's own reports acknowledge the dramatic rise in HMO applications and the cumulative problems that HMOs can create in residential neighbourhoods.

The Conservative administration has introduced new HMO planning guidance, supposedly to address these concerns.

But what protection does that guidance actually provide if applications continue to be approved despite serious local objections?

The historical pattern is particularly concerning. Our review has not identified a single HMO refusal by the Development Control Board since the refusal of an application in February 2018.

Residents are entitled to expect proper scrutiny, robust assessment of local evidence and meaningful application of the Council's own planning policies.

Dartford Reform will continue challenging these decisions and holding the Conservative administration accountable.

Residents deserve a planning system that listens to them — not one where approval appears to be a foregone conclusion.

📍 11A Whitby Close, Stone — Application 26/00682/FUL

16/10/2026

STOP OUTSIDE COUNCILS TAKING DARTFORD HOMES – CAMPAIGN UPDATE

As we’ve reported, following our investigation, Basildon Council has reportedly sold its 86 properties at Knights Reach.

But our work doesn’t stop there.

Newham is delaying its response to our Freedom of Information request, which we are continuing to chase. We are also carrying out a much wider investigation into the use of Dartford housing by councils from outside the borough — looking at how widespread this is, how many Dartford homes are involved, and what Dartford Borough Council has actually done to try to prevent it.

At the moment, nobody appears to have the full picture. We intend to get it.

Please sign and share our petition below. We will be presenting it to both Dartford Borough Council and the Government as we continue the campaign to protect Dartford homes for Dartford residents.

https://www.petitions.com/protect_dartfords_new_homes

15/10/2026

💙 Supporting Dartford's young people!

We're delighted that Dartford's Reform UK Kent County Councillors have been able to support Refocus Project in delivering 11 weeks of activities and opportunities for local young people.

Refocus does fantastic work supporting young people through mentoring, early intervention and positive activities, helping to build confidence, develop skills and create opportunities.

This is exactly the sort of local initiative we're proud to back - putting resources into our communities and supporting organisations making a real difference in Dartford.

🥊🎨🍕 There are some great activities coming up this October half-term, including boxing, graffiti art, games and baking!

👇 Take a look at the details below and please share with any young people or families who might benefit.

🎨🥊 Calling young people in Dartford!

Join Refocus for our Youth Empowerment Project this October — a chance to get creative, try something new and meet other young people!

🍕 Thursday 22 October | 1–5pm
Pizza & Graffiti

🥊 Friday 23 October | 3–7pm
Boxing & Games

🎨 Tuesday 27 October | 3–7pm
Boxing & Arts

🧁 Wednesday 28 October | 1–5pm
Graffiti Arts & Baking

📍 Bizniz Point, Crown House, Dartford, DA1 1DZ

📲 Scan the QR code on the poster to register.

Hosted by Refocus Project and supported by Kent County Council.
Thank you
Dartford Reform
For your help with 11 Wks of youth activities and support.

Please share with young people and families who might like to join us! 🙌

15/10/2026

15/10/2026

🏘️ DARTFORD HMO DECISION TONIGHT — WILL DARTFORD COUNCILLORS BREAK AN EIGHT-YEAR PATTERN?

Tonight, Thursday 15 October, Dartford Borough Council's Development Control Board will decide whether to approve another six-bedroom HMO at 11A Whitby Close, Stone.

The last HMO application we identified as being refused by the Board was in February 2018 — more than eight years ago.

Despite objections from local residents, Stone Town Council and Reform UK County Councillor Cllr Ryan Waters for Dartford East, Dartford Borough Council's planning officer has recommended APPROVAL.

The objections raise specific concerns about parking and highway safety, inadequate evidence on waste and recycling provision, residential amenity and compliance with the council's adopted HMO guidance.

The officer considers the proposal acceptable. Objectors disagree, particularly over whether meeting the minimum numerical parking standard adequately addresses the conditions in this restricted cul-de-sac.

Tonight, the decision rests with elected Conservative and Labour councillors - Officers advise, elected councillors decide!

Will Dartford councillors vote yet again to approve another HMO, or will they take on board the material planning considerations raised by residents, the local KCC councillor and Stone Town Council?

The meeting takes place at 7pm. We will report the decision and how councillors voted.

Dartford Reform UK

14/10/2026

🚨 JIM DICKSON VOTES AGAINST MOTION TO STOP HORIFFIC PIDDINGTON ASYLUM ACCOMMODATION PLANS

If it can happen in Piddington, what's to stop it happening in our villages here?

Dartford's Labour MP, Jim Dickson, voted against a parliamentary motion calling on the Labour Government to abandon its plans to accommodate up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at a former military site near Piddington, Oxfordshire - allowing these plans to continue.

The motion was defeated by 309 votes to 113. Reform UK supported the motion which would have stopped these illegal migrants from being housed near this small village.

Here in Dartford, we have already seen the consequences of decisions made nationally.

The Limes became a reception centre in Dartford for UASC / "unaccompanied asylum-seeking children" following High Court proceedings in 2023, under the previous Conservative Government.

The Conservatives had 14 years in government to reform the legislation and arrangements governing asylum accommodation. They failed to make the changes necessary to prevent situations such as The Limes.

Now Labour is in government, and the same questions of accountability are being raised over Piddington.

Labour has had more than two years to address these issues. Instead, its Government is pursuing the Piddington proposals, and Dartford's own Labour MP has voted against a motion challenging them.

Different governments, but both must answer for the decisions made on their watch .

The Conservatives had their opportunity to change the system. Labour now has the responsibility to act.

Residents deserve a meaningful say in decisions affecting their communities, rather than being expected simply to accept decisions made nationally.

Jim Dickson's vote is now a matter of public record.

🔗 Official parliamentary voting record: