Great Downs Farm, London Road,, Lambourne, Romford, RM4 1XU

Planning appeal 6005783 at Great Downs Farm, London Road,, Lambourne, Romford, RM4 1XU (Epping Forest District Council) was dismissed on 3 July 2026 by Inspector H Whitfield, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: the effect of the development on the significance of nearby listed buildings, through development within their settings.

the erection of retrospective tractor shed

Authority: Epping Forest District Council
Appeal type: Planning
Procedure: Written
Development: agricultural
Inspector: H Whitfield
Postcode: RM4 1XU

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

the effect of the development on the significance of nearby listed buildings, through development within their settings
whether the scheme would be inappropriate development in the Green Belt having regard to relevant development plan policies and the National Planning Policy Framework
if the proposal is inappropriate development, whether the harm by reason of inappropriateness, and any other harm, is clearly outweighed by other considerations so as to amount to the very special circumstances required to justify the development

What decided it

The less than substantial harm to the significance of the designated heritage assets (the two Grade II listed barns) through development affecting their settings, which was not outweighed by any substantiated public benefits, rendered the proposal unacceptable despite meeting the Green Belt agricultural exception.

What the Inspector cited

Development plan policies: Policy DM7Policy DM9Policy SP5Policy DM4
National Planning Policy Framework: Paragraph 154Paragraph 215

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.

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The decision letter

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More decisions in Epping Forest District Council

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

Dismissed28 October 20266011400
Larksmead Nursery, St Leonards Road, Nazeing, EN9 2HQ
Allowed27 October 20266008413
Sparks Farm, Nine Ashes Road, Nine Ashes, CM4 0JZ
Dismissed26 October 20266008699
Denver Lodge, Waltham Road, Nazeing, EN9 2EB
Dismissed23 October 20266013055
Millers Farm, Epping Road, Roydon, Harlow, CM19 5DD
Dismissed21 October 20266010759
Spains Hall, Spains Hall Road, Willingale, Ongar, CM5 0QE

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.