Decision Made: Planning Inspector Backs Havering Council Over Noak Hill Traveller Site on Greenbelt Land.

Havering Council has welcomed a significant planning decision after the Planning Inspectorate dismissed appeals against Enforcement Notices issued at a site in Church Road, Noak Hill.

The ruling supports the Council’s long-standing position that the development is unacceptable and reinforces protections for Green Belt land in the borough.

Planning Enforcement and Stop Notices were originally served on 4 December 2025 in response to what the Council said was unauthorised development at the site. The recipients subsequently appealed the notices, which temporarily suspended their effect while the Planning Inspectorate considered the case.

The Planning Inspector has now dismissed those appeals, concluding that the unauthorised use of the land and associated works amount to inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The Inspector found that the development causes significant harm to the openness of the Green Belt and the character of the countryside and that there were no sufficient circumstances to outweigh that harm.

As a result, the Enforcement Notices remain in force. However, the Inspector has extended the compliance period to four months to allow those responsible time to comply with the requirements of the notices.

Despite the decision, the wider planning process has not yet concluded. Havering Council has confirmed that further planning matters and associated appeals relating to the site remain ongoing and that the overall position will not be fully resolved until those processes have been completed.

Council officers will continue to monitor the site and will take further enforcement action where necessary.

Councillor Terry Brown, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said:

“We welcome the Inspector’s decision to dismiss these appeals and uphold the Council’s enforcement action.

“This confirms the Council’s long-held position that the unauthorised development at this site is unacceptable.

“While this is an important step forward, the process is not yet fully concluded, and further planning matters relating to this site remain ongoing.

“We will continue to take all necessary and proportionate action to ensure planning rules are upheld and to protect our borough.”

The Council says it will continue to keep residents informed as the remaining planning matters progress.

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