# 62 Birkbeck Road, Romford

- **Decision:** allowed, 17 August 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: P Eggleton
- **Authority:** Havering (London)
- **Appeal reference:** 6008872
- **Application reference:** P1553.25
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Loft conversion with rear dormer and change of use of 4-bed house (C3) to children's care home (C2) for up to 5 children
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** HO1(2)(f), Havering LP Policy 6
- **Development plan policies:** Havering Local Plan 2016-2031 Policies 3, 6, 7, 16, 34, London Plan 2021 H12, S1, S2
- **Main issues:** housing mix and need, neighbour living conditions
- **Tags:** tier-2, childrens-home, specialist-housing-need, sufficiency-strategy, costs-application

## Summary
A five-child care home in an extended detached house in Romford was allowed. The Framework "advises that the evidence of need, for looked after children, can be found in the relevant Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy" (DL ¶7; HO1(2)(f)). The Council's own Strategy showed Havering children being placed out of borough despite a numerical oversupply, and the Inspector found that "sufficient to demonstrate a need at this time" (DL ¶16).

## What made the difference
Using the Sufficiency Strategy as the Framework directs turned the Council's oversupply argument around: the local homes are filled by other boroughs' children (DL ¶¶14–15). Issued on publication day, this is an early use of HO1(2)(f) in a decision.

## Policy findings
- **HO1(2)(f): pass.** Framework points to the Children's Social Care Sufficiency Strategy as the source of need evidence; Strategy shows Havering children placed out of borough despite numerical oversupply → need shown (DL 7, 14-16)
- **Havering LP Policy 6: accord.** need criterion (i) "generally satisfied"; no unacceptable noise/disturbance (viii) (DL 16, 18-21)
- **Havering LP Policy 3: conflict.** loss of a family house weighs against but use remains residential (DL 17)

## Key facts
- 19 homes / 72 places in Havering; NHS partner claims 66-place oversupply; Havering uses only 1 home
- 158 Havering children placed elsewhere (March 2024); Strategy 2025-28 seeks local capacity
- Contrasts with appeal 6000705 (113 Pretoria Road) where need not shown on thinner evidence

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/f025aabf-6e5c-4544-aa81-2707b652f20f
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6008872

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6008872.html

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