The Cherry Tree, Wood Lane, DAGENHAM, RM8 3LJ

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• Whether the scheme would provide appropriate living conditions for the property's occupants, and whether it would effectively integrate with the attached Public House
• Whether the scheme would be appropriately configured, having regard to policies which promote sustainable transport
• Whether the scheme would comply with policies which seek to retain shops and community facilities
• The scheme's effect on the character and appearance of the host property and the area
• The scheme's effect on the living conditions of adjacent occupiers, with particular regards to noise, waste and general disturbance

What decided it

The poor living conditions that would be provided to the HMO's occupants, combined with inadequate cycle parking provision and failure to demonstrate compliance with retail retention policies, outweighed the modest benefits of housing supply and building improvement.

The scheme's modest benefits in providing relatively affordable accommodation and contributing to housing supply would not outweigh the significant harm caused by poor living conditions for occupants, inadequate sustainable transport provision, and failure to comply with retail retention policies.