- Decision
- allowed, 28 August 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: A J Boughton
- Authority
- Enfield (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6008361
- Application reference
- 25/02531/FUL
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Enlargement of existing 5-person HMO to 7-person sui generis HMO including a letting room with kitchenette
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- August 2026 NPPF
- Determinative policies
- Enfield DMD5
- Development plan policies
- Enfield Development Management Document 2014 DMD5
- Main issues
- character and residential amenity; occupier living conditions
Summary
An existing five-person HMO was allowed to become a seven-person sui generis HMO. There was no clustering, no evidence of disturbance or parking harm, and the accommodation was generous. The Inspector noted the new Framework (DL ¶2) but decided the appeal on local policy DMD5.
What made the difference
The change was one additional room, so occupancy stayed below the eight persons in the previously dismissed appeal (APP/Q5300/W/25/3360248), and objectors had no "technical evidence" on parking (DL ¶¶11, 17). The Council's reliance on dwelling space standards for a single letting room was given "little weight" (DL ¶13).
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enfield DMD5 | accord | no clustering, no robust evidence of noise/disturbance or parking harm; whole house exceeds 132 sq m NDSS for 6b8p (DL 9-16) | |
| P3 | pass | living conditions of occupiers acceptable; NDSS for dwellings not applicable to a letting room (DL 8, 13-14) — decided under DMD5 |
Key facts
- Existing lawful 5-person HMO (23/00259/FUL); +1 letting room, up to 7 persons
- Earlier appeal APP/Q5300/W/25/3360248 for 8 persons dismissed on disturbance
- Moderate PTAL; transport officers no objection; cycle parking condition
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.