10-PERSON HMO BID AT FORMER ROMFORD PUB.

15th October 202615th October 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Havering Council, HMO, Housing, North Street, Planning Application, Romford min read

A bid to secure retrospective planning permission for a 10-person House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at a former Romford pub has landed on Havering Council’s planning desk, as the borough prepares to tighten controls over new HMOs.

The application, reference P1151.26, concerns the first floor of 290 North Street, Romford, and seeks permission for the property to be used as an HMO accommodating up to 10 people.

The application was received by Havering Council on 6 October 2026 and validated on 8 October. The published planning record lists it as awaiting a decision.

Crucially, this is a retrospective application, meaning the applicant is seeking planning permission for a use that has already begun. It does not mean the council has approved the proposal.

The building has a history of commercial use, having previously been associated with The Squire pub and restaurant, later known as The Triangle. Planning records also show earlier applications relating to HMO and hotel use at the first-floor premises.

The latest proposal follows an earlier application, reference P0734.26, relating to retrospective use of the same first-floor property as a nine-room HMO.

The two applications raise questions about the planning history of the building and what use the council will ultimately permit. The precise relationship between the earlier and latest proposals, including whether the new application replaces or revises the previous one, should be confirmed from the full planning file.

HAVERING MOVES TOWARDS TOUGHER HMO CONTROLS

The application comes at a significant time for Havering, with the council consulting on a proposed borough-wide Article 4 Direction.

If introduced, the direction would remove certain permitted development rights for changes of use to smaller HMOs, meaning planning permission would be required for developments that might otherwise proceed without a full planning application.

The proposed controls have brought the issue of HMOs into focus as the council considers how changes in housing use affect neighbourhoods across the borough.

For residents, the distinction between an application being submitted and permission being granted is important. The 10-person proposal at North Street remains undecided, and no approval should be assumed.

The Havering Daily will continue to follow the application and report on the council’s decision once it is confirmed.

The application can be viewed through Havering Council’s planning register using reference P1151.26.

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