# 96A Green Dragon Lane, Southgate

- **Decision:** dismissed, 18 September 2026
- **Decided by:** Planning Inspector: F Harrison (on recommendation of Appeal Planning Officer S Manson)
- **Authority:** Enfield (London)
- **Appeal reference:** 6009211
- **Application reference:** 26/00343/FUL
- **Procedure:** written-representations
- **Development:** Conversion of first-floor flat into two flats with large rear dormer and hip-to-gable loft conversion
- **Homes:** 1
- **Site context:** inside-settlement
- **Green Belt:** no
- **Framework applied:** August 2026 NPPF
- **Determinative policies:** DP3(3), S4(2)
- **Development plan policies:** London Plan 2021 D4, D6, D8, Enfield Core Strategy 2010 CP30, Development Management Document 2014 DMD 6, 8, 13, 37
- **Main issues:** living conditions of future occupiers, character and appearance
- **Tags:** tier-2, s4-within-settlement, s4-substantially-outweighed, design-refusal, appeal-planning-officer, transitional-no-consultation

## Summary
A flat subdivision with a near-ridge rear dormer and a hip-to-gable change on a prominent Southgate corner semi was dismissed, on an appeal planning officer's recommendation. The design conflicted with DP3's identity principle, which under DP3(3) requires refusal. Both units also fell below London Plan ceiling heights. Under S4, the limited benefit of one extra flat was substantially outweighed.

## What made the difference
The prominent corner position and the loss of the pair's symmetry. The London Plan space standard added a living-conditions failure. This is a routine application of the DP3(3) refusal trigger inside a settlement.

## Policy findings
- **DP3(3): fail (significant weight).** boxy near-ridge dormer and hip-to-gable break the symmetrical pair on a prominent corner; conflicts with the identity principle without clear justification (DL 10-12, 15)
- **S4(2): fail.** benefits substantially outweighed, including substandard 2.5m floor-to-ceiling height (London Plan D6) (DL 5-7, 17)

## Key facts
- Neither flat meets the London Plan D6 2.5m floor-to-ceiling height over 75% of GIA (DL 5)
- No consultation on the new Framework (APO decision) (DL 3)

## Sources
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/appeals/6009211
- https://appeal-planning-decision.service.gov.uk/published-document/9446fc0d-7ab2-417c-a067-e80a3d60681a

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Source: https://planningdistilled.org/research/england/nppf-navigator/decisions/PINS-6009211.html

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