# 1 Blewitts Cottages, New Road, Rainham

- **Decision:** dismissed, 17 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: P Eggleton
- **Authority:** Havering (London)
- **Appeal reference:** 6006409
- **Application reference:** P1390.25
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Retrospective change of use of rear garage from storage to motorbike repair and sales workshop
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** P3(2)(b)
- **Development plan policies:** Havering Local Plan 2021 Policies 7, 34, London Plan 2021 D14
- **Main issues:** character, neighbour noise, amenity space
- **Tags:** tier-2, noise, retrospective, evidence-lacking

## Summary
A motorbike repair and sales use in a backyard garage next to residential gardens was dismissed. Without a noise assessment, harm to neighbours could not be ruled out, even though no neighbour had objected. There was no harm to character on a commercial-feeling lane. The letter is dated 17 Aug and names no Framework version.

## What made the difference
The absence of any acoustic evidence. The Inspector said conditions on hours could not be relied on without it (DL ¶¶10, 18).

## Policy findings
- **P3(2)(b): fail.** Framework not cited by code; no noise assessment, garage door beside neighbour's garden; harm not ruled out (DL 7-15)
- **L2(1)(b): benefit.** efficient use of existing building and economic activity acknowledged but insufficient (DL 17-18)

## Key facts
- Up to ten customer appointments a day; repair plus sales = sui generis
- No neighbour objections, but no noise evidence

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/26c15c57-b1e8-446d-8972-0705202a904d
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6006409

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6006409.html

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