# Park Tavern, 56 Elder Road, West Norwood

- **Decision:** dismissed, 9 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: L Clark
- **Authority:** Lambeth (London)
- **Appeal reference:** 6007861
- **Application reference:** 25/03139/VOC
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** s73 variation of plans condition (retrospective) for pub-to-5-flats conversion - fenestration details and taller rear extension
- **Homes:** 5
- **Site context:** inside-settlement, conservation-area
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** S4(1), HE6
- **Development plan policies:** Lambeth Local Plan 2020-2035 Q5, Q7, Q11, Q22, Q23
- **Main issues:** planning obligation, heritage
- **Tags:** tier-2, s4-within-settlement, obligation-unsecured, conservation-area, non-designated-heritage-asset, retrospective, parties-consulted-on-2026-framework

## Summary
This was a retrospective s73 variation for a pub-to-flats conversion in a conservation area. The appellant won on heritage: the trickle vents, applied glazing bars and taller rear extension were neutral, so S4 was complied with (DL ¶28, 30). The appeal still failed, because the replacement car-free UU was an unsigned, undated draft with no plans (DL ¶15).

## What made the difference
The incomplete obligation. Under the updated Procedural Guide, the inspector would not wait for a revised UU (DL ¶33). Without a completed UU, the car-free and car-club obligations secured on the original permission fell away, which "would likely lead to unmitigated harm through the exacerbation of parking stress" (DL ¶31).

## Policy findings
- **HE6: neutral.** applied glazing bars, trickle vents and taller rear extension neutral to the NDHA and Elderwood CA - no public-benefit balance needed (DL 20-28)
- **S4(1): pass.** council argued S4 equates to old 11(d); with no heritage harm, S4 complied with (DL 30)

## Key facts
- Draft UU (car-free permits, car club, cycle hire) undated, unsigned and without plans - no weight; dismissed on that ground alone (DL 14-16, 31-34)
- Procedural Guide (16 July 2026) requires an executed obligation at appeal submission in WR cases (DL 33)

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6007861
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/8131f366-9bc8-447b-a2c8-d982f97cc6cf

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6007861.html

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