®Planning appeal decision
The Squirrels, 2A Douglas Avenue, Romford, RM3 0UT
Planning appeal 3345938 at The Squirrels, 2A Douglas Avenue, Romford, RM3 0UT (London Borough of Havering) was dismissed on 15 April 2025 by Inspector Cryan M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area.
the creation of 9 new dwellings and the increase in size of one existing dwelling
- Authority
- London Borough of Havering
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Cryan M
- Postcode
- RM3 0UT
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area
- Whether the proposed development would provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers, with particular regard to amenity space, outlook, access arrangements, and the provision of storage for refuse and bicycles
- The effect of the proposed development on living conditions for neighbouring residents of No 2 Douglas Avenue, with particular regard to whether it would be intrusive or overbearing
- Whether the development would include an appropriate housing mix
What decided it
The significant harm to character and appearance and failure to provide acceptable living conditions for future occupiers demonstrably outweigh the modest benefits of housing delivery in an area with poor public transport accessibility.
The harm from the development in respect of character and appearance and living conditions for future occupiers significantly and demonstrably outweighs the modest social and economic benefits of providing nine new dwellings, such that the proposal does not amount to sustainable development under the Framework.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 26 of the 2021 Havering Local PlanPolicy D1 of the London Plan 2021Policy D3 of the London Plan 2021Policy D4 of the London Plan 2021Policy 7 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy D6 of the London Plan 2021Policy 5 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy T6.1 of the London Plan 2021
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 135
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
Town Planner Pro holds this letter. The Appeals plan opens it and every other letter we hold, all of them searchable, with the main issues and what decided each case picked out. We do not show letters on the free site because they carry people’s names and addresses.
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.