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Allowed18 February 20266000440

Land to the Rear of 157-159 North Street, Romford, RM1 1ED

Planning appeal 6000440 at Land to the Rear of 157-159 North Street, Romford, RM1 1ED (London Borough of Havering) was allowed on 18 February 2026 by Inspector Sibley G, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the proposed flats with regard to outlook and private amenity space.

construction of 8 no. apartments in two blocks, with associated bin and cycle storage and changes to the hard and soft landscaping to provide areas of communal and private amenity - as well as the relocation of secondary access doors two existing ground floor flats

Authority
London Borough of Havering
Appeal type
minor · Planning Appeal
Procedure
Written Representations
Development
residential · Minor Dwellings
Inspector
Sibley G
Postcode
RM1 1ED

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

  • the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the proposed flats with regard to outlook and private amenity space
  • whether the proposal would provide development in accordance with local housing mix policy
  • the effect of the proposal on local employment space
  • the effect of the proposal on the living conditions of the occupiers of the surrounding properties with regard to outlook, privacy and overshadowing
  • the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area
  • the effect of the proposal on flood risk with particular regard to the Sequential Test
  • the effect of the proposal on highway safety with particular regard to parking
  • whether the proposal would prejudice the future development of other sites nearby

What decided it

The Council's significant shortfall in housing land supply (3.4 years) and the application of the presumption in favour of sustainable development under NPPF paragraph 11 meant that the material considerations, taken together with the Framework, indicated permission should be granted despite conflicts with development plan policies.

The limited harm to the living conditions of some future occupiers (outlook from bedrooms only), the minor conflict with housing mix policy (scheme still delivers family homes), and the unsubstantiated harm from employment land loss were outweighed by the substantial benefits of delivering 8 new homes on previously developed land in a sustainable location with good public transport access, contributing to the Council's significant housing shortfall.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies
Policy 3 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy 5 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy 7 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy 20 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy 26 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy 32 of the Havering Local PlanPolicy D1 of the London PlanPolicy D3 of the London PlanPolicy D4 of the London PlanPolicy D6 of the London PlanPolicy E7 of the London PlanPolicy T6.1 of the London PlanPolicy SI 5 of the London Plan
National Planning Policy Framework
Paragraph 11Paragraph 61Paragraph 135Paragraph 135f

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 applied

The decision letter

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More decisions in London Borough of Havering

The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026

  1. Dismissed27 May 20266001193
    Archers Apartments, 27 Haysoms Close, Romford, Havering, RM1 4DL
  2. Dismissed21 May 20266004142
    1 Abbots Close, Havering, Rainham, Essex, RM13 9LA
  3. Dismissed21 May 20266003382
    Rear of 73 Front Lane, Upminster, RM14 1XL
  4. Allowed15 May 20266005087
    Land to the Rear of 55-67 Petersfield Avenue, Harold Hill, Romford, Havering, RM3 9PR
  5. Dismissed30 April 20266000610
    10 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.

In the app this decision sits on the map beside every appeal around it, with its letter to read and the main issues, policies and judgments cited picked out.