®Planning appeal decision
1 Essex Close, Romford, RM7 8BD
Planning appeal 3354511 at 1 Essex Close, Romford, RM7 8BD (London Borough of Havering) was dismissed on 24 April 2025 by Inspector Deane G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the local area.
the conversion of existing side extension, single storey rear extension and new 2-storey side/rear extension to form 2 additional dwellings (total 3 including existing)
- Authority
- London Borough of Havering
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Deane G
- Postcode
- RM7 8BD
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the local area
- The effect on the living conditions of future occupiers and those of properties on Toby Way with regard to visual impact
- The effect on highway safety for users of Essex Close
What decided it
The significant harm to the character and appearance of the local area caused by overdevelopment of the site and the disjointed design of the proposed terrace outweighs the modest benefits of providing 2 additional homes in the absence of a 5-year housing supply.
The modest benefits from the provision of 2 additional homes and economic benefits attracted moderate weight, but the significant harm to character and appearance and conflicts with development plan and Framework policies attracted significant weight, resulting in adverse impacts significantly and demonstrably outweighing the benefits.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy 7Policy 26Policy 23Policy 24Policy T4 of The London Plan
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 Havering
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2025
- Dismissed27 May 20266001193Archers Apartments, 27 Haysoms Close, Romford, Havering, RM1 4DL
- Dismissed21 May 202660041421 Abbots Close, Havering, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9LA
- Dismissed21 May 20266003382Rear of 73 Front Lane, Upminster, RM14 1XL
- Allowed15 May 20266005087Land to the Rear of 55-67 Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill, Romford, Havering, RM3 9PR
- Dismissed30 April 2026600061010 Parkland Avenue, Upminster, Upminster, RM14 2HA
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.