®Planning appeal decision
Land North of Fen Lane, Upminster, RM14 3PR
Planning appeal 6000665 at Land North of Fen Lane, Upminster, RM14 3PR (London Borough of Havering) was dismissed on 14 January 2026 by Inspector Cahalane R, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use and the amount of development, with particular reference to whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including its effect on openness.
permission in principle for up to 3 infill dwellings
- Authority
- London Borough of Havering
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Cahalane R
- Postcode
- RM14 3PR
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the site is suitable for residential development, having regard to its location, the proposed land use and the amount of development, with particular reference to whether the proposal would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt, including its effect on openness
- whether any harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, would be clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to very special circumstances required to justify the appeal scheme
What decided it
The site is not in a sustainable location with particular reference to Framework paragraphs 110 and 115, as future residents would be heavily dependent on private vehicles despite nearby bus stops, due to lack of footways and limited everyday facilities and services in the vicinity.
The substantial weight given to harm to Green Belt openness was not clearly outweighed by the moderate weight afforded to housing delivery benefits and efficient use of land, such that very special circumstances do not exist.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- London Plan Policy G2Havering Local Plan 2016-2031
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 110Paragraph 115Paragraph 143Paragraph 153Paragraph 154Paragraph 155Paragraph 156Paragraph 157
- Judgments
- R (Tate) v Northumberland County Council [2018] EWCA Civ 1519; Julian Wood v SSCLG, Gravesham Borough Council [2015] EWCA Civ 195
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
More decisions in London Borough of Havering
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Notice upheld25 June 20263358682Chalkfields Tomkyns Lane, Upminster, RM14 1TP
- Split Decision23 June 20263377437Land Ne Side of Church Road, Noak Hill, Romford, Essex, RM4 1LD
- Split Decision23 June 20263377383Noak Hill, Romford, RM4 1LD
- Allowed10 April 20266001332Bush Farm Back Lakes, Aveley Road, Upminster, RM14 2TQ
- Allowed26 February 20266001099Havering Park Stables, Bower Farm Road, Havering-Atte-Bower, Romford, Greater London, RM4 1QR
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.