389 St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 3HR

Planning appeal 3348752 at 389 St Marys Lane, Upminster, RM14 3HR (London Borough of Havering) was dismissed on 26 February 2025 by Inspector Francis L, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area.

the construction of a single storey, 2-bedroom 4 person dwelling

Authority: London Borough of Havering
Appeal type: minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure: Written Representations
Development: residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector: Francis L
Postcode: RM14 3HR

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
the living conditions of future occupiers, with particular regard to the provision of storage space and pedestrian access

What decided it

The harm to the character and appearance of the area, caused by the urbanisation of the rear garden and the erosion of the established open, verdant character, significantly and demonstrably outweighed the limited benefits of delivering a single dwelling, even in circumstances of housing land supply shortfall.

The limited benefits of one additional dwelling and self-build housing were significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm to character and appearance when assessed against the Framework taken as a whole, such that the presumption in favour of sustainable development did not apply.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy 26 of the Havering Local Plan 2016–2031Policy 7 of the Havering Local Plan 2016–2031Policy 10 of the Havering Local Plan 2016–2031Policy D6 of the London Plan
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 11Paragraph 232

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.

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The decision letter

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The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025

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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.