- Decision
- allowed, 19 August 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: B J Sims
- Authority
- Barnet (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6008189
- Application reference
- 26/0507/FUL
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Roof extension with dormers and conversion of new roof space to one short-term let unit (C1), bin and bike storage
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- No Framework version cited
- Determinative policies
- s38(6), Barnet LP HOU05
- Development plan policies
- Barnet Local Plan HOU05, CDHOU01, CDH01, London Plan D3, D6
- Main issues
- principle (loss of latent housing capacity); amenity and parking; standard of accommodation
Summary
A loft conversion to form a single short-term let (C1) unit in Mill Hill was allowed. The council's objection was that it lost latent capacity for C3 homes. The inspector found no policy basis for protecting unused loft space. The C1 unit was judged on its own merits, and the amenity effects could be controlled by condition.
What made the difference
There was no existing home to lose. Policy HOU05 protects existing homes, not potential ones (DL ¶6-8). The letter does not mention the 2026 Framework or the transition at all. Contrast PINS-6008038 (Lambeth), where a C1 short-let failed the TC3 sequential test; the point was not raised here.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOU05 (Barnet LP) | accord | "no basis in national or local planning policy for protecting presently vacant and unused loft space for future conversion to permanent residential accommodation" (DL 6) | |
| P3 | pass | code mapped by harvester — noise from guest changeovers acceptable in an urban location, with sound insulation and C1-only occupancy conditions (DL 10-14) | |
| CDH01 / London Plan D6 | accord | C3 space standards not directly applicable to C1; unit comparable to a small hotel room (DL 16-19) |
Key facts
- Council treated unconverted loft as "latent residential capacity" for 2-3 bed C3 need (DL 5)
- PTAL 4, no highway objection (DL 13)
- No reference to the 2026 Framework or the transition; only "All the policies referenced above are consistent with the National Planning Policy Framework" (DL 23)
Related decisions
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.