31 Sturgess Avenue London NW4 3TR Data via plota.co.uk

26/1940/RCU - Retention/Continued Use Refused

Proposal

Change of use of the property from a single family dwelling (Class C3) to a 5 bed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) (Class C4) for up to 5 people (Retrospective Application) Proposed single storey rear extension and roof extension including hip to gable and rear dormer window. Associated refuse/recycling and cycle storage… Data via plota.co.uk

View original council record ↗Last checked

Application progress

Received
26 May 2026
Validated
10 Jun 2026
Refused
4 Aug 2026
Consultation
5 Aug 2026
Appeal
Not lodged

Refused on 4 Aug 2026 · Delegated Decision · Last checked 8 Aug 2026

Site constraints 4

Article 4 direction
Article 4 Small Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Area 1. Named permitted development rights are withdrawn here.
An Article 4 direction withdraws particular permitted development rights, so work that would normally need no application needs one here. Not every council has published its directions.
Air quality management area: Barnet AQMA
The council has declared the area as failing an air quality objective.
Schemes that add traffic, parking or combustion plant are assessed against the area's action plan and may need an air quality assessment.
Council record ↗
Opportunity area
Where the London Plan expects significant growth.
Boundaries are indicative and the borough holds the detailed plan.
Also on the record
Inside the Barnet built-up area.
Not affected
Outside flood zones 2 and 3 · Not green belt · No listed building at the site

Checked on 11 September 2026. Historic England, the Environment Agency, Natural England and council datasets, Open Government Licence. A boundary can run through a site and the council holds the definitive record: confirm with the council before relying on this.

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Important details

Council
Barnet
Application type
Retention/Continued Use
Postcode
NW4 3TR
Received
26 May 2026
Validated
10 Jun 2026
Ward
West Hendon
Case officer
Show
Target decision
5 Aug 2026
Decision
Refuse
Decision date
4 Aug 2026
Decision level
Delegated Decision
Applicant
Show
Agent
Windsor & Patania Architecture and Developments

How this decision compares

Decided in 55 days from validation, about the council's usual 56 days. Refused, as 42% of changes of use here are.

71%decided within 8 weeks
58%approved
169decided in the last year

Plota live figures for changes of use decided by Barnet in the last twelve months, from validation. Barnet decision record →

Public comments

1comment received
1 supporting

2 neighbours consulted · Last counted 8 Aug 2026

Read the comments on the council site ↗

Consultation & key dates

Alt. reference
PP-14953886
Neighbours
5 Aug 2026
Site or press notice
18 Jun 2026
Barnet
Planning Authority Score
6.2/10
Average
#90 of 296 councils
Relevant to this application:
Change of use

Barnet is faster than most councils at deciding householder applications, ranking #42 out of 296. Only 25% of applications have the time limit extended, well below the 41% national average - the council usually decides on time. Barnet is also one of the strictest councils - it refuses more householder applications than almost any other, with only 82% approved vs 90% nationally.

One of the strictest councils
only 82% approved vs 90% nationally
These figures are council-wide context, not a prediction for this application. View full council performance
Barnet decision statistics
Based on MHCLG data, the year to March 2026
75%
Overall approval rate
Below avg (87%) #285 of 296
82%
Householder approved
Below avg (90%) #264 of 296
79%
Decided in 8 weeks
Above avg (63%) #42 of 296
25%
Extended time limit
Below avg (41%) #29 of 296
55%
Minor dwellings approved
319 decided (1-9 homes)
90%
Major dwellings approved
21 decided (10+ homes)
41%
Change of use approved
132 decided
2,541
Total decisions
625 refused in the year to March 2026