Fire safety upgrades proposed at The Orchard Theatre ahead of reopening

Plans for fire safety upgrades to a theatre are among the latest applications submitted to Dartford council.

An application has been submitted for The Orchard Theatre in Dartford, where extensive sprinkler and fire safety works are proposed.

The plans include the installation of new water tanks and a pump house, ventilation changes, rooflight replacements and alterations to parts of the surrounding car park to support the upgrades.

The theatre is due to reopen at the end of this year after a routine inspection in 2023 uncovered reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof.

Another significant scheme concerns Manor Way Business Park in Swanscombe, which is within the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation area where 15,000 homes are planned as part of Kent’s garden city.

Developers are seeking permission for the phased demolition of existing buildings and the construction of new flexible industrial, storage and business units, alongside new access roads, parking, drainage and landscaping.

Elsewhere, plans have been lodged for Sherwen Engineering Co in Green Street Green Road, Longfield, where developers want to demolish existing buildings and replace them with two new industrial units.

The proposal also includes parking, cycle storage, landscaping and acoustic fencing.

Other recent applications include:

- Non-material amendment to approved first-floor extension design and window spacing at 5 Chestnut Grove in Wilmington.

- Prior approval request for single-storey rear extension at 16 Orchard Close in Longfield.

- Submission of landscaping and ecological management details for replacement dwelling at Bean Cottage in Shellbank Lane, Bean.

- Garage conversion into a habitable room at 27 Anvil Terrace in Dartford.

- Reduction and felling of protected trees at 7 Studley Crescent in Longfield.

- Lawful development certificate for single-storey outbuilding at Cleveland Court in Main Road, Longfield.

- Single-storey rear extension at 23 Main Road in Sutton-at-Hone.

- Multiple submissions relating to contamination, refuse and waste details for approved new dwelling at 118B Park Road in Dartford.

- Rear extension, basement creation, garage conversion and rooflights at 15 Wallis Close in Wilmington.

- Prior approval request for single-storey rear extension at 61 Knole Road in Dartford.

- Drainage and biodiversity details linked to approved extension and solar panels at Stone Pavilion in Hayes Road, Greenhithe.

- Change of use to a larger seven-person HMO at 72 Hedge Place Road in Greenhithe.

Visit the Public Notice Portal for more details and to view the applications.

All are awaiting decisions by the council.