- Decision
- allowed, 17 August 2026
- Decided by
- Planning Inspector: Peter Eggleton
- Authority
- Havering (London)
- Appeal reference
- 6009771
- Application reference
- P1622.25
- Procedure
- written representations
- Development
- Single-storey rear extension and change of use from dwelling to 10-person sui generis HMO with 5 rear parking spaces
- Site context
- inside settlement
- Green Belt
- No
- Framework applied
- December 2024 NPPF (transitional)
- Determinative policies
- NPPF2024 para 11(d), Havering LP Policy 8(iii)
- Development plan policies
- Havering Local Plan 2016-2031 policies 7, 8, 24, 34, London Plan 2021 D14, T1, T6, T6.1
- Main issues
- neighbours' living conditions (parking noise)
Summary
A 10-person HMO with five rear parking spaces was allowed after an earlier 10-space scheme had failed. The lawful 6-person HMO fallback meant the extra parking noise was not unacceptable. The letter is dated 17 August 2026 but applies the old tilted balance ("not significantly and demonstrably outweigh", DL ¶21) and never mentions the new Framework.
What made the difference
Halving the parking and moving it deeper into the site, together with the lawful C4 fallback. A shortfall authority and the "considerable support" given to ten lower-cost homes did the rest.
Policy findings
Policy codes are those of the National Planning Policy Framework (August 2026) unless a development plan is named.
| Policy | Finding | Weight | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPPF2024 para 11(d) | pass | "I conclude that the harm would not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits" (DL 21) — old tilted-balance wording on 17 Aug 2026; no reference to the new Framework; council lacks 5YHLS (figure not stated) (DL 19) | |
| Policy 8(iii) (Havering LP) | conflict | noise from 5-space rear parking greater than a family house, but lawful 6-bed HMO fallback makes it "just under" the threshold of Policy 7 (DL 9-11) | |
| HO5 | benefit | code mapped by harvester — ten lower-cost households in accessible location "gains considerable support" (DL 19) |
Key facts
- Previous 10-space scheme dismissed on appeal 6000600 (9 Dec 2025) for noise to No 86 (DL 4-5)
- Lawful development certificate for 6-person C4 HMO (DL 9)
- UU prevents residents obtaining parking permits (DL 14)
- Officers recommended approval; members refused (DL 4)
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.