Planning appeal decision
97 Watford Way, London, NW4 4RS
Planning appeal 3337182 at 97 Watford Way, London, NW4 4RS (London Borough of Barnet) was allowed in part (a split decision) on 17 December 2025 by Inspector Jones R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether a material change of use of the property to use as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has occurred as a matter of fact (ground b).
without planning permission, the making of a material change of use of the property to use as a House in Multiple Occupation (Use class C4)
- Authority
- London Borough of Barnet
- Appeal type
- enforcement · Enforcement Notice
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Jones R
- Postcode
- NW4 4RS
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether a material change of use of the property to use as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has occurred as a matter of fact (ground b)
- Whether the matters constitute a breach of planning control (ground c)
What decided it
The property's occupation by eight individuals from at least two separate households with shared basic amenities, combined with the absence of evidence that the appellant had obtained planning permission for the change of use, resulted in a breach of planning control that was not cured by permitted development rights.
The decision letter
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More decisions in London Borough of Barnet
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Notice varied and upheld29 September 2026335964435 Hillview Gardens, London, NW4 2JJ
- Notice upheld28 August 2026336160153 Essex Park, London, N3 1ND
- Notice varied and upheld27 August 2026336134827 Dale Grove, London, N12 8EE
- Notice upheld26 August 2026337608848 Oldberry Road, Edgware, HA8 9DB
- Notice upheld18 August 20263337532140A Sydney Road, London, N10 2RN
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.
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