Planning application · Newham
26/01997/COU.
75 Derby Road Forest Gate London E7 8NH
Change of Use at 75 Derby Road Forest Gate London E7 8NH — refused on 7 May 2026 (delegated, Thanusan Gunabalasingham).
ApprovedRefusedOther
At a glance · this applicationNewham profile →
Refused
Outcome
7 May 2026
—
Decision time
submission → decision
—
Conditions
not captured
15
Documents
15 linked
—
Objections
not captured
No
Appeal
none recorded
Record from the Newham planning register as captured; documents link to the council's own files. Nearby applications are context, not part of this application.
Application
What is it?
Retrospective planning application for the change of use from Use Class E(g)(i) (historically B1) to Class F1(a) (education).
Reference
26/01997/COU
Type
Change of Use
Applicant
Agent / consultant
Case officer
Postcode
E7 8NH
Council
Received
—
Validated
2 Feb 2026
Target date
24 Feb 2026
Decision date
7 May 2026
Decision route
Delegated (officer)
Council register
Reference
26/01997/COU
Type
Change of Use
Show all 15 rows
Applicant
Agent / consultant
Case officer
Postcode
E7 8NH
Council
Received
—
Validated
2 Feb 2026
Target date
24 Feb 2026
Decision date
7 May 2026
Decision route
Delegated (officer)
Council register
Documents
What was filed?
Document
Published
View
Documents open on the Newham portal (the portal needs its documents tab opened first — the link handles that). View the application page ↗
Decision
What happened?
Refused on 7 May 2026, delegated decision by Thanusan Gunabalasingham.
Timeline
Date
Event
2 Feb 2026
Application validated
24 Feb 2026
Statutory target date
7 May 2026
Delegated decision: Refused · Thanusan Gunabalasingham
2 Feb 2026
Application validated
24 Feb 2026
Statutory target date
7 May 2026
Delegated decision: Refused · Thanusan Gunabalasingham
Why it was refused
Reason
As stated on the decision notice
1
The application is submitted with insufficient clarity and detail regarding the nature and extent
of the use for which retrospective consent is sought. As a result, the Local Planning Authority is
unable to accurately determine the precise form of development being applied for or to fully
assess its compliance with the relevant provisions of the Development Plan. The lack of clear
and robust information prejudices the proper assessment of the proposal and is therefore
unacceptable.
2
Notwithstanding Reason 1, the proposed change of use, by virtue of its location within a quiet
residential street outside any designated town or local centre and not within a site allocated for
community or educational facilities, represents an inappropriate siting of such development.
The proposal would therefore undermine the Borough’s spatial strategy by dispersing a
community use away from preferred locations. It is therefore not considered acceptable in
principle and is contrary to:
• The National Planning Policy Framework (2024)
• Policies S1, S3, SD8, D1 and D3 of The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy
for Greater London (2021)
• Policies S1, S6, SP6, INF5, INF8, of the London Borough of Newham Local Plan (2018)
3
Notwithstanding Reason 1, the proposed change of use presents unacceptable harm to
neighbouring amenity owing to the scale, hours and intensity of the use within a predominantly
residential area and would result in unacceptable levels of noise, disturbance and activity from
pupils, staff and associated visitors. The constrained access arrangements and site context
raise further concerns regarding the safety of site users, while the development is also likely to
generate increased traffic, congestion and associated environmental impacts to the detriment
of local residents. The proposal is therefore considered unneighbourly. The proposal is
therefore contrary to:
• The National Planning Policy Framework (2024)
• Policies D8, D13 and D14 of The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy for
Greater London (2021)
• Policies S1, S6, SP8, INF5 and INF8 of the London Borough of Newham Local Plan (2018)
The above policies can be viewed online via the respective government websites ie. the Council's
website www.newham.gov.uk , the GLA’s website www.london.gov.uk and the www.gov.uk website.
1
The application is submitted with insufficient clarity and detail regarding the nature and extent
of the use for which retrospective consent is sought. As a result, the Local Planning Authority is
unable to accurately determine the precise form of development being applied for or to fully
assess its compliance with the relevant provisions of the Development Plan. The lack of clear
and robust information prejudices the proper assessment of the proposal and is therefore
unacceptable.
2
Notwithstanding Reason 1, the proposed change of use, by virtue of its location within a quiet
residential street outside any designated town or local centre and not within a site allocated for
community or educational facilities, represents an inappropriate siting of such development.
The proposal would therefore undermine the Borough’s spatial strategy by dispersing a
community use away from preferred locations. It is therefore not considered acceptable in
principle and is contrary to:
• The National Planning Policy Framework (2024)
• Policies S1, S3, SD8, D1 and D3 of The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy
for Greater London (2021)
• Policies S1, S6, SP6, INF5, INF8, of the London Borough of Newham Local Plan (2018)
3
Notwithstanding Reason 1, the proposed change of use presents unacceptable harm to
neighbouring amenity owing to the scale, hours and intensity of the use within a predominantly
residential area and would result in unacceptable levels of noise, disturbance and activity from
pupils, staff and associated visitors. The constrained access arrangements and site context
raise further concerns regarding the safety of site users, while the development is also likely to
generate increased traffic, congestion and associated environmental impacts to the detriment
of local residents. The proposal is therefore considered unneighbourly. The proposal is
therefore contrary to:
• The National Planning Policy Framework (2024)
• Policies D8, D13 and D14 of The London Plan: The Spatial Development Strategy for
Greater London (2021)
• Policies S1, S6, SP8, INF5 and INF8 of the London Borough of Newham Local Plan (2018)
The above policies can be viewed online via the respective government websites ie. the Council's
website www.newham.gov.uk , the GLA’s website www.london.gov.uk and the www.gov.uk website.
Policies cited
S1S3SD8D1D3NPPFD8D13D14S6SP8INF5INF8
Public response
Comment counts were not captured for this application.
People
Who is involved?
Name
Role
Applicant — the party who applied, not necessarily the owner
Agent · consultant profile
Case officer — delegated decision
Applicant — the party who applied, not necessarily the owner
Agent · consultant profile
Case officer — delegated decision
Place
What affects it?
Context around the site — not part of this application. Designations over the site: use the map's designations filter (conservation areas, listed buildings, Article 4, flood risk …). Decisions within 250 metres of the site are listed below — context, not this application.
Other applications within 250 metres (context — nearby, not this application)
No other geocoded decision is recorded within 250 metres.