®Planning appeal decision
Robert Whyte House, Oldfield Road, BROMLEY, BR1 2LF
the change of use from Use Class C2 to short-term residential accommodation for up to 24 no. Property Guardians with no internal or external alterations (Sui Generis) (Retrospective)
- Authority
- London Borough of Bromley
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Deane G
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the development on specialist accommodation for older people
- the effect of the development on highway safety with regard to vehicle parking
What decided it
The building's unsuitability for vulnerable people due to fire safety concerns means it cannot provide sheltered housing in the short term regardless, and the temporary HMO use as a meanwhile use pending refurbishment or redevelopment is justified and contributes to housing supply without causing or significantly worsening highway safety problems.
The benefits of housing supply (albeit temporary and for smaller units), affordability, prevention of vacancy-related damage, and economic benefit outweigh the temporary loss of specialist accommodation for older people, which is justified by the building's fire safety unsuitability and the owner's longer-term plans to provide improved specialist accommodation.
Framework references: 11
Plan policies cited: Policy 11 of the Bromley Local Plan, Policy H3 of The London Plan, Policy H12 of The London Plan, Policy H13 of The London Plan, Policy 32 of the Bromley Local Plan, Policy T4 of The London Plan
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.