®Planning appeal decision
18A Woodhill Crescent, Harrow, HA3 0LY
Planning appeal 3298421 at 18A Woodhill Crescent, Harrow, HA3 0LY (London Borough of Brent) was dismissed on 28 September 2023 by Inspector Howell M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether there is an identified need for the Houses in Multiple Occupation.
without planning permission, the material change of use of the premises to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), occupied by more than six people
- Authority
- London Borough of Brent
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Howell M
- Postcode
- HA3 0LY
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether there is an identified need for the Houses in Multiple Occupation
- the effect of the developments on the character and appearance of the area
- the effect of the developments on the living conditions of the occupiers of neighbouring dwellings, with particular regard to the management of the HMOs, noise and disturbance and on street parking pressure
- whether the developments provide adequate accommodation for occupants, with regard to the size and standard of accommodation
- parking and highway safety
What decided it
The development failed to demonstrate a specific identified need for HMO accommodation and created an over-concentration of HMOs contrary to Policy BH7, which adversely affected the character of the area and neighbours' living conditions.
No balancing exercise was undertaken; the development was found to be in breach of multiple development plan policies with no material considerations advanced to outweigh the policy conflicts.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy BH7Policy DMP1Policy BH13Policy BH11Policy BT2Appendix 4
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 111
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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- Split Decision17 September 2026335746261 Alder Grove, London, NW2 7DE
- Notice varied and upheld16 September 2026336503173A and the Rear Part of 73 Willesden Lane, Kilburn, London, NW6 7RR
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.