- Decision
- allowed, 16 September 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: R Dickson
- Authority
- Havering (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6006244
- Application reference
- P1295.25
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Change of use of semi-detached house to children's home for up to two children (C2)
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- HO9
- Development plan policies
- Havering Local Plan 2016-2031 Policies 3, 6, 7, 24, 34, London Plan 2021 H12, T6
- Main issues
- need/location; living conditions; parking
Summary
A two-child children's home in a Romford semi was allowed. The Council's Sufficiency Needs Assessment showed ongoing need, and it carried more weight than the commissioner's unsubstantiated view that the borough already had enough homes. Amenity and parking effects matched a family house. The Framework changes were "not material" (DL ¶2).
What made the difference
Documentary need evidence beat an unsupported officer comment (DL ¶¶6–8). The small scale (two children) kept activity comparable to a family home (DL ¶12).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| HO9 | pass | Framework not cited on need; Havering Sufficiency Needs Assessment 2025-28 preferred over unevidenced commissioner comment that supply is sufficient (DL 5-9) | |
| P3 | pass | comings and goings similar to a family home; noise management plan condition (DL 10-14) | |
| TR4 | pass | two drive spaces, PTAL 3, shift coordination (DL 15-19) |
Key facts
- Two secondary-age children, two staff on shifts
- Council's commissioner said borough already over-provided, but gave no evidence
Sources
This note is one of the decisions behind the NPPF 2026 Navigator, which shows how each Framework test has been applied across all the decisions in the database. Also available as Markdown.