®Planning appeal decision
The Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Road, London, SE23 3PQ
Planning appeal 3354310 at The Horniman Museum & Gardens, 100 London Road, London, SE23 3PQ (London Borough of Lewisham) was dismissed on 15 July 2025 by Inspector Lo S, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the development would be inappropriate development in the MOL having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies.
the installation of 3 four-metre high Wi-Fi posts along the western boundary of the Horniman Gardens, 100 London Road SE2
- Authority
- London Borough of Lewisham
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- utilities-energy · Other minor developments
- Inspector
- Lo S
- Postcode
- SE23 3PQ
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the development would be inappropriate development in the MOL having regard to the Framework and any relevant development plan policies
- the effect of the development on the openness of the MOL
- the effect of the proposal on designated heritage assets, including: the Grade II listed Coombe Cliffe Conservatory; the Terraces in front of the Horniman Museum; the forecourt railings, walls and piers to the Horniman Museum; the Horniman Gardens; the Grade II* listed Horniman Museum; and the Forest Hill Conservation Area
- the effect of the proposed development upon the natural environment, with particular regard to the protection of trees
- whether or not the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the proposal
What decided it
The combined harm to the Metropolitan Open Land through inappropriate development, designated heritage assets, and protected trees, to which substantial weight was attached, was not outweighed by the moderate public benefits of the proposal, and very special circumstances did not exist to justify the development.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy G3 of the London Plan 2021Policy 12 of the Lewisham Core Strategy 2011Policy DM36 of the Lewisham Development Management Local Plan 2014Policy 16 of the Lewisham Core Strategy 2011Policy HC1 of the London Plan 2021Policy G7 of the London Plan 2021
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 11Paragraph 85Paragraph 96Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 202Paragraph 212Paragraph 215
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
More decisions in London Borough of Lewisham
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Dismissed26 September 20253358943Hall, 8A Courtrai Road, London, SE23 1PL
- Dismissed4 July 20223254911Willow Tree Riding Establishment, Ronver Road, Lewisham, SE12 0NL
- Allowed23 October 2026601378458a Manor Park, Hither Green, London, SE13 5RL
- Dismissed2 October 20266011958Plot to the Rear of 4 Wickham Road, Wickham Mews, London, SE4 1PS
- Allowed24 September 2026601402230 Horncastle Road, Lee, London, SE12 9LA
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.