The Planning Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council met on Tuesday 10 September 2024, approving a planning application for the subdivision and extension of a property at 1 Hainault Gore, Chadwell Heath, Romford, and receiving an update on the progress of the Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037.

Planning Application at 1 Hainault Gore, Chadwell Heath, Romford

The committee approved a planning application for 1 Hainault Gore, Chadwell Heath, Romford, RM6 6RR. The application, presented by Esther Rubinsohn from the Be First Development Management Team, sought permission to subdivide the existing dwelling into two flats, construct a two-storey side extension to create two further flats, and convert the ancillary garage into a dwelling. This would result in a net increase of four housing units, bringing the total to five flats.

Concerns were raised by five neighbouring residents regarding the impact on the character of the area, property values, noise and disturbance, loss of daylight, privacy, overshadowing, and parking and congestion. However, officers concluded that the design of the extensions would respect the character of the existing Victorian-style villa, with matching materials to be used. While neighbours raised concerns about parking, the proposal includes four off-street parking spaces, and it was deemed that one additional car on the private road would not cause unacceptable harm. Regarding daylight and privacy, the report stated that the proposed extensions would not cause unacceptable harm due to their offset nature and the absence of proposed windows on side elevations facing neighbouring properties. The increase in households from one to five was noted, but it was not anticipated to generate an unacceptable level of noise or disturbance.

The committee voted to approve the recommendation, with Councillor Cormack, Councillor Geddes, Councillor Mir, and the Chair, Councillor Muhammad Saleem, all voting in favour.

Progress Report on the Local Plan

Jen Belford, Planning Policy Manager for Be First, provided an update on the Barking and Dagenham Local Plan 2037. She informed the committee that the Inspectors' Report had been received on 15 August 2024, concluding the examination process. The Inspectors found the policies to be sound, subject to the inclusion of Main Modifications. The Local Plan, as amended, was scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet and Assembly for adoption later that month. Upon adoption, it would form part of the Development Plan, carrying full weight in planning decisions.

Councillor Saleem, on behalf of the committee, thanked Jen Belford, Tim Thomas, and the Be First team for their work in progressing this very important document.