# 529 Roman Road, Tower Hamlets

- **Decision:** dismissed, 27 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: L Gardner
- **Authority:** Tower Hamlets (London)
- **Appeal reference:** 6008563
- **Application reference:** PA/25/01901
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Rear balcony to second-floor flat
- **Site context:** conservation-area, inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** No Framework version cited
- **Determinative policies:** s38(6), Tower Hamlets LP D.DH8
- **Development plan policies:** Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2020 D.DH8, London Plan 2021
- **Main issues:** living conditions of flat below
- **Tags:** tier-2, living-conditions, no-framework-reference, householder, conservation-area

## Summary
A second-floor rear balcony was dismissed because it would overshadow and overlook the roof terrace and the only window to a habitable room of the flat below. The decision is purely plan-led (D.DH8) and does not mention the Framework.

## What made the difference
The balcony sat directly over the neighbour's only light source and amenity space. People linger on a balcony in a way they do not at a window, which made the overlooking worse (DL ¶8). The index flagged E3 for this letter, but E3 is not engaged: the letter cites no Framework policy.

## Policy findings
- **D.DH8 (Tower Hamlets LP): conflict.** balcony overshadows first-floor roof terrace and the only window/door to a habitable room below; overlooking of terrace (DL 5-10)
- **HE9: neutral.** s72 cited; Roman Road Market CA preserved; lack of harm neutral (DL 13-14)

## Key facts
- Balcony projects over neighbour's terrace directly above its sole light source (DL 5)
- The letter makes no reference to the National Planning Policy Framework in any version

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6008563
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/6fdd6509-cbe4-4008-a4ec-ae17230dc5b5

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6008563.html

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