Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Redbridge Council Planning Committee meeting on 15 October 2025. The meeting was scheduled to include discussion of a planning application, and approval of the minutes from a previous meeting. Councillor Shoaib Patel, Chair of the Planning Committee, was scheduled to preside over the meeting.

Planning Application: The Drive Methodist Church and Church Hall

The committee was scheduled to consider a full planning permission application, reference 1779/25, for development at The Drive Methodist Church and Church Hall in Castleview Gardens, Cranbrook, Ilford. The applicant, Mamunur Rashid Chowdhury, sought permission to demolish existing structures and erect two two-bedroom single dwelling houses. The proposal included associated hard and soft landscaping, cycle storage, waste and refuse storage, and amenity space.

The application was brought before the Planning Committee because Councillor Shoaib Patel and the Director of Planning and Building Control agreed that it should be determined by the members due to local interest.

Site Context

The site is located at the corner of The Drive and Castleview Gardens. It currently houses two sheds that have historically been used for community and religious activities associated with the Methodist church. The surrounding area is predominantly residential, with a mix of two-storey terrace houses and the adjacent Merton Court flats.

The report pack noted that the existing Church Hall is in a state of disrepair and underutilisation, requiring significant investment to meet modern standards. It also stated that the sheds had already been deemed excessive and no longer required for the church's purposes when they were sold to the applicant. The application site is not located within or adjacent to a conservation area.

Proposal Details

The proposal involves the erection of two two-bedroom single dwelling houses with associated landscaping, cycle storage, waste/refuse storage, and amenity space.

Relevant Policies and Considerations

The report pack outlined a number of policies and considerations relevant to the application, including:

• National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2024)
• Planning Practice Guidance (PPG)
• London Borough of Redbridge (LBR) Housing Design SPD (2019)
• LBR Housing Delivery Test
• Article 4 Direction Borough Wide (Redbridge) for HMOs¹
• Air Quality Focus Area - A12 Eastern Avenue from A12/Aldborough Road
• Air Quality Management Area (AQMA)
• Recreational Zone of Influence - Epping Forest SAC within 0-3km
• SANGS Catchment Zone - Fairlop Waters Country Park
• SANGS Catchment Zone - Roding Valley Park
• Strategic Access Management Measures (SAMMs)
• Local Plan Policies: LP2 (Delivering Housing Growth), LP17 (Delivering Community Infrastructure), LP21 (Water and Flooding), LP22 (Promoting Sustainable Transport), LP23 (Cycle and Car Parking), LP24 (Pollution), LP26 (Promoting High Quality Design), LP29 (Amenity and Internal Space Standards), LP32 (Sustainable Design and Construction), LP38 (Protecting Trees and Enhancing the Landscape)

Public Consultation

Letters were sent to 19 surrounding neighbours on Castleview Gardens and The Drive on 13 August 2025. Four objections were received, raising concerns about:

• The duration and noise of the proposed work
• Potential compromise of daylight to Merton Court
• The height of the new property walls
• Loss of daylight and overshadowing to Merton Court
• Overdevelopment and the design being out of character with the surroundings
• Loss of privacy
• Increased pressure on local infrastructure, parking, and access
• Lack of sustainable/environmental benefits
• Increased traffic volume along Castleview Gardens and The Drive
• Emergency and refuse collection vehicle access during construction
• Lack of meaningful community consultation

The report pack also included responses from consultees, including the Refuse and Cleansing Officer, Natural England, the Highways Officer, and Place Services (Trees).

Housing Delivery Test

The report pack noted that Redbridge Council had delivered 39% of its annual housing target for the three years up to 2022/23, requiring the production of a Housing Delivery Test Action Plan since January 2019. As a result, there is a 'presumption in favour of sustainable development' for housing schemes.

Recommendation

The Director of Planning and Building Control was scheduled to be authorised to grant permission subject to conditions.

Approval of Previous Minutes

The committee was also scheduled to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 September 2025.