Nine flats and shop at Development at 142 Hermon Hill, Wanstead, London E18

What was proposed

The application proposed extending the commercial unit and adding nine flats, with parking, cycle storage, refuse storage and amenity space.

“Proposal Full Planning Permission Extension to ground floor with alterations to ground floor Commercial unit (Class E). First and second floor extensions to provide nine (four x 3-bedrooms and five x 2-bedrooms) self-contained flats with associated car parking, cycle storage, waste / refuse storage and amenity space and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a former public house and fish restaurant in a mixed commercial and residential parade, with houses, offices and a garage nearby.

“The application site is a former public house probably built in 1862 accessed from the ground floor, which has been used as a fish restaurant for a number of years having parking spaces for 14 cars, with the parking area covering half of the site area. The area’s character comprises a mix of commercial uses in the local shopping parade (Key Retail Parade) with residential uses above with some ground floor conversions from retail to residential nearby to the north.”

“To the rear west are two storey semi detached houses built in the 1990s (15a and 15b Alexandra Road) and terraced houses at Nos 17, 19 and 21 Alexandra Road. To the north is 150-154 Hermon Hill that is a motor repair garage with MoT centre with flat at No 154a. To the south are offices in two buildings at Nos 142a (ground, first) and 142B (basement, first and second floors) and 142c. Opposite are terraced houses.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier decisions included an appeal dismissal and later approval for a side extension, alongside permissions affecting neighbouring sites.

“142 Hermon Hill 2043/21 Appeal dismissed 2.2.22 after refusal of single storey side conservatory/extn – based on design issues in the streetscene (subsequently approved below) 1166/22 Approval 21.6.22 for single storey side conservatory with decking…”

“142A Hermon Hill neighbouring site: 5396/16 142a Permission approved on appeal 21.12.17 for Erection of two-storey building to street frontage, with basement floor and accommodation in the pitched roof space, to provide office and storage space, with associated car parking, cycle storage, waste storage and ancillary spaces…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme would provide housing and retail space, with acceptable design, amenity, heritage and highway effects subject to conditions.

“The development would create a three storey scheme of 9 market homes with new retail premises below. The benefits of the scheme include housing for families and new retail premises for a key retail parade. The proposed development would have an acceptable design and no significant adverse impacts on neighbouring amenity.”

“The Officer recommendation is that permission is granted for the reasons set out under the section ‘Material Planning Considerations’ of the report, which provides the detailed assessment of the proposed development, in relation to the adopted Planning Policy framework, and subject to planning conditions set out in this report.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Three people spoke against the application, one spoke in favour, and the ward member spoke against it.

What members discussed

Members discussed air pollution, safety around Hermon Hill Road, noise, privacy and balconies, while considering the speakers’ representations.

“Members discussed the application in relation to air pollution, safety issues around Hermon Hill Road, noise, privacy issues, especially related to balconies and considered…”

“Planning Committee, Wednesday, 16 September 2026 all representations by speakers.”

Minutes

How members voted

The first vote was tied and the Chair abstained; a second vote appeared to approve the recommendation but was later treated as invalid.

“A vote was taken on the recommendation on the report and the vote not carried, with 4 votes For, 4 votes Against and 3 Abstain. Following this result the Chair had a casting vote in accordance with constitution and choose to abstain.”

“On this basis a second vote was taken, and the result was 5 votes For, 3 votes Against and 3 Abstain and the officer’s recommendation on the report was approved subject to the conditions as set out in the report (Following legal advice, the second vote was treated as invalid because the motion had not been formally proposed and seconded. Consideration of the application was therefore deferred to the next available meeting).”

Minutes