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

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

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.

Framework references: 11, 61, 135, 135f

Plan policies cited: Policy 3 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy 5 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy 7 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy 20 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy 26 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy 32 of the Havering Local Plan, Policy D1 of the London Plan, Policy D3 of the London Plan, Policy D4 of the London Plan, Policy D6 of the London Plan, Policy E7 of the London Plan, Policy T6.1 of the London Plan, Policy SI 5 of the London Plan

Read the decision letter on the Inspectorate’s site

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.