®Planning appeal decision
7-9 Davenant Street, London, E1 5NB
Planning appeal 3344416 at 7-9 Davenant Street, London, E1 5NB (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) was allowed on 10 March 2025 by Inspector Wildgoose G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposal is consistent with local policies relating to provision of employment and community facilities.
‘retrospective temporary part change of use from serviced apartments (Class C1) and education/office floorspace (Class F1/E) to temporary accommodation for asylum seekers (Sui Generis) for a period of three years with internal alteration. Retrospective insta llation of a fire door at south side elevation and replacement of front door with automatic sliding door at ground floor number 7 Davenant Street’
- Authority
- London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Wildgoose G
- Postcode
- E1 5NB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposal is consistent with local policies relating to provision of employment and community facilities
- Whether the proposal provides for a suitable living environment for its occupiers
- The effect on the living conditions of neighbouring properties, with particular regard to matters of overlooking, noise and disturbance
- The effect on public safety and security, including the evacuation procedures and means of escape from the building in the event of a fire
- Whether the proposal would have adequate arrangements for deliveries, servicing and waste disposal
What decided it
The considerable benefits of addressing the clear and pressing need for temporary asylum seeker accommodation substantially outweigh the limited and temporary harm arising from the loss of approximately 430 sq.m of employment and community floorspace for a three-year period.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy E1 London PlanPolicy S3 London PlanPolicy H12 London PlanPolicy D3 London PlanPolicy D11 London PlanPolicy D12 London PlanPolicy T7 London PlanPolicy D.CF2 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.EMP3 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.H4 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy S.SG2 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy S.DH1 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.DH2 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.DH8 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy S.TR1 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.TR4 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031Policy D.MW3 Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2031
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.