The Council has secured another success in its commitment to tackling unlawful development, following the dismissal of an appeal against a planning enforcement notice at 203 Rush Green Road, Romford.
An Enforcement Notice was issued after Council officers identified a material change of use at the property.
The rear part of the ground floor, known as 203B Rush Green Road, had been converted into a self‑contained dwelling without planning permission.
The property owner appealed the notice and last week that appeal failed, meaning the Planning Inspector ruled that the enforcement notice stands in full.
The owner is required to comply with the full terms of the notice, which includes:
- ceasing the unauthorised residential use of the rear ground floor
- removing all facilities enabling residential occupation
- clearing all materials, debris and associated waste resulting from the remedial works
The owner has been given six months to complete all steps.
Cllr Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Development and Regeneration, said:
“This result once again demonstrates Havering’s determination to ensure that development across the borough is safe, lawful and properly regulated.
“Unauthorised conversions not only undermine the planning system, they can also result in poor‑quality accommodation and put residents at risk.
“We will continue to act robustly wherever planning rules are ignored.”
Havering Council’s planning enforcement team investigates hundreds of cases each year, taking action wherever unauthorised development could negatively affect local communities, create safety concerns, or breach planning policy.
This latest appeal decision reinforces the Council’s approach to maintaining high standards across the borough and ensuring that all development is carried out responsibly and with the correct permissions.