®Planning appeal decision
44 Lambert Road, London, SW2 5BE
Planning appeal 3366452 at 44 Lambert Road, London, SW2 5BE (London Borough of Lambeth) was allowed on 15 October 2025 by Inspector Bennett T, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the principle of the development is acceptable with regard to its effect on housing supply.
Change of use from small HMO (Use Class C4) to large house in multiple occupation (HMO) with 11 rooms (sui generis), including provision of refuse and cycling facilities
- Authority
- London Borough of Lambeth
- Appeal type
- major · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Bennett T
- Postcode
- SW2 5BE
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the principle of the development is acceptable with regard to its effect on housing supply
- whether the proposed development would support sustainable means of travel and mitigate its effects on the surrounding highway network
What decided it
The fallback position that the property could lawfully be used as a C4 HMO without planning permission under Part 3 Class L of the GPDO is a significant material consideration that overcomes and outweighs the conflict with Policy H9.
The limited conflict with Policy H9 regarding identified local need is outweighed by the fallback position of lawful C4 use, the contribution to general housing need, the absence of evidence of harm to community balance or over-concentration, and the proposal's support for sustainable travel, justifying a decision other than in accordance with the development plan.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy H3 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy H9 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy H6 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy T1 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy T6 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy T3 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy T5 of the London Plan (2021)Policy Q13 of the Lambeth Local Plan (2021)Policy H8 of the London Plan (2021)
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 57
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
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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.