®Planning appeal decision
36 Lancaster Grove, London, NW3 4PB
Planning appeal 3320798 at 36 Lancaster Grove, London, NW3 4PB (London Borough of Camden) was dismissed on 19 September 2023 by Inspector Chamberlain G, following a hearing. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed development would make adequate provision for affordable housing (Appeal A).
the conversion of a former fire station tower (sui generis) to a one-bedroom residential unit (Use Class C3) on second to fifth floors plus creation of roof terrace including installation of balustrade and removal of chimneys
- Authority
- London Borough of Camden
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Hearing
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Chamberlain G
- Postcode
- NW3 4PB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed development would make adequate provision for affordable housing (Appeal A)
- The effect of the proposed development and works on the significance of 36 Lancaster Grove (listed as the Belsize Fire Station), which is a Grade II* listed building (Appeals A and B)
- Whether the proposed development would provide adequate living conditions for future occupants (Appeal A)
What decided it
The absence of any mechanism to secure the necessary affordable housing contribution under Policy H4 meant the total harm (heritage plus affordable housing shortfall) significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits, leading to dismissal of Appeal A, whereas for Appeal B the limited heritage harm alone was outweighed by public benefits, leading to its allowance.
For Appeal A, the benefits of the scheme (new home, reuse of brownfield land, economic benefits) outweighed the less-than-substantial heritage harm, but when the unresolved affordable housing conflict was added, the total harm significantly and demonstrably outweighed the benefits under the tilted balance, so the appeal was dismissed; for Appeal B, the limited heritage harm was outweighed by the public benefits, so the appeal was allowed.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy T2Policy H4Policy D2Policy HC1Policy H6Policy A1Policy D6
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 64Paragraph 11Paragraph 152Paragraph 120
- Judgments
- R (Westminster City Council) v First Secretary of State and Brandlord Limited [2003] J.P.L 1066; New Dawn Homes Ltd v SSCLG [2016] EWHC 3314 (Admin)
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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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.