The Planning Performance Review Sub-Committee met on Monday 14 April 2025 to review the performance of the council's planning services. The committee received reports on planning decisions, building control, land charges, and street naming and numbering. Decisions were made regarding the review of planning performance and the committee noted the report on building control, land charges, and street naming and numbering.

Review of Planning Decisions - Performance Report (April 2024 - March 2025)

The Sub-Committee reviewed the performance of the council's planning services between April 2024 and March 2025. Lewis Goodley, Development Management Team Leader, presented a report highlighting the council's strong performance in determining planning applications. The council was ranked joint first nationally and in London for determining both major and non-major development applications within the statutory eight-week period, achieving 100% timeliness for over four years. This consistent performance was attributed to efforts to accelerate development and align with government aims to speed up the planning process.

The report also detailed approval and refusal rates across various application types. Notably, householder applications saw an 86% approval rate, significantly exceeding the aspirational target of 67%. This was achieved through proactive engagement with applicants to improve proposals, particularly those that were initially of poor quality or proposed unneighbourly development. The Development Management Team's efforts to secure positive outcomes for growth and investment opportunities were also highlighted, with an average of 72% across all applications with statutory returns, as measured by the MHCLG. The team's success was further recognised by their shortlisting for the Planning Awards 2025.

During the discussion, a clarification was sought regarding a discrepancy in the reported appeal dismissal rates. The Development Management Team Leader explained that this was a drafting error and reaffirmed that over the 12-month period, 71% of all appeals to the Planning Inspectorate had been dismissed, an increase from 68% the previous year. The year-on-year fluctuations in appeal statistics were attributed to factors such as the adoption of a new Local Plan and the Planning Inspectorate's approach to appeals. The team's analysis of appeal data by location, ward, and type was noted as a valuable tool for understanding the Planning Inspectorate's perspective and informing future application handling.

The Sub-Committee examined a sample of delegated planning and appeal decisions, confirming that relevant planning policies and criteria had been applied correctly. The Chair commended the council's planning authority, describing it as exemplary and leading the way in London and the country. Thanks were extended to Barry Coughlan, Head of Statutory Planning and Building Control, and his team at Be First, as well as Marilyn Smith, Head of Planning Assurance, for their collective efforts in achieving outstanding performance outcomes.

Performance Report on Building Control, Land Charges and Street Naming and Numbering

Barry Coughlan, Head of Statutory Planning and Building Control, presented a report on the performance of the Building Control, Land Charges, and Street Naming and Numbering services. He explained that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Be First, initially established in 2017 for Development Management and Planning Policy, was updated in 2023 to include these three additional services, with a requirement for annual performance reporting. Marilyn Smith, Head of Planning Assurance, noted that the KPI's for these services were still being refined to ensure they were relevant, challenging, and fair.

Building Control (BC): Mr. Coughlan highlighted the significant challenges faced by the Building Control team following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022. This legislation has imposed new requirements on operational processes and staff structures, alongside a change in the classification system for Registered Building Inspectors. The team is currently understaffed and lacks the necessary competency levels for all building types. Despite ongoing recruitment efforts since January 2025, filling vacant posts remains difficult due to a national shortage of experienced professionals. Consequently, three of the eight KPI's reported to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) are not being met, with two recording 0%. It is anticipated that the recent filling of one post will improve performance, with further recruitment and the introduction of a new fee table and inspection framework expected to assist. None of the missed KPI's are statutory. The 0% performance in two indicators means that valid full plan and building notice applications were not received within 10 working days of receipt of corresponding site inspection plans, though these were not statutory requirements.

Land Charges: This service has performed to a high standard, consistently exceeding KPI's for search responses and query handling. The team was shortlisted for the Land Data Customer Services Award in 2025 and has been working closely with His Majesty's Land Registry on the migration of the Local Land Charges Register.

Street Naming and Numbering: The team has maintained a consistently high level of performance, exceeding all KPI's in 2024/25. They received a 'Platinum' award for street data from Geo Place in 2024, along with an award for 'Most Improved Borough', reflecting significant work in correcting historical inaccuracies in the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLGP) data.

In response to questions, Mr. Coughlan addressed concerns about the impact of Building Control staffing issues on development, clarifying that the team primarily handles non-major domestic projects, not large strategic developments. He confirmed that an action plan is in place to address the Building Control situation, including recruitment and the introduction of a new fee schedule. He also confirmed that the BSR KPI's relate to compliance, staffing, and processes rather than direct performance metrics. Regarding street names, he stated there had been no complaints, only enquiries about potential name changes due to perceived connotations, none of which related to the Borough. He agreed to provide information on the process for member consultation on the approved list of street names.

The Sub-Committee noted the report.

Planning Applications and Appeals Sample for Detailed Review

The Sub-Committee reviewed a sample of planning applications and appeal decisions determined between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025.

• 24/01692/FULL - 123 Goresbrook Road, Dagenham, RM9 6YG: This application for the construction of a new two-storey, two-bedroom dwelling was Refused. The refusal was based on concerns regarding the design, siting, and massing, which were considered to be out of character with the Becontree Estate and would negatively impact neighbouring amenity and the street scene. Issues with external amenity space and parking arrangements were also cited.

• 24/01615/HSE - 23 Dowletts Road, Dagenham, RM8 1FJ: Planning permission was Approved for the construction of three front dormers to facilitate the conversion of the roof space into habitable accommodation. The proposal was deemed minor and subservient to the original dwelling, respecting the local character and not causing unacceptable harm to neighbouring amenity.

• 24/01421/HSE - 19 Horace Avenue, Rush Green, Romford, RM7 0UU: Planning permission was Approved for the demolition of an existing rear outbuilding and the construction of a single-storey rear extension. The extension was considered to respect the character and appearance of the area and not have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring properties.

• APP/Z5060/D/24/3346198 (Application Ref: 24/00149/HSE) - 1 Central Park Avenue, Dagenham, RM10 7DA: An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a part two-storey, part single-storey side and rear extension was Allowed. The Inspector found the design to be well-balanced and proportionate, appearing as a subservient addition that would not overwhelm the house or plot, and would retain the character of the street scene.

• APP/Z5060/D/24/3339293 (Application Ref: 23/01903/HSE) - 53 Treswell Road, Dagenham, RM9 6XL: An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a part two-storey, part single-storey side extension, single-storey front extension, and single-storey rear extension was Allowed. The Inspector considered the proposed extensions to be of a well-conceived design that would not cause harm to the significance of the Becontree Estate and would accord with development plan policies. The impact on the living conditions of the neighbouring property was also deemed not materially harmful.

• APP/Z5060/D/24/3336482 (Application Ref: 23/01608/HSE) - 63 Neasham Road, Dagenham, RM8 2LU: An appeal against the refusal of planning permission for a double-storey side extension, single-storey front extension, and garage was Dismissed. The Inspector found the proposed development to be excessively bulky and out of scale with the original dwelling, disrupting the symmetry of the semi-detached unit and eroding the openness of the corner plot. The design was considered awkward and discordant, adversely impacting the character and appearance of the host dwelling and the surrounding Becontree Estate.