Subdivision to Create Two Dwellings in Brentwood Granted Planning
Retrospective planning permission from Brentwood Borough Council for the subdivision of a dwelling into 2 no. dwellings, overcoming an initial recommendation for refusal using housing land supply arguments
PLANNING APPROVALSBRENTWOODESSEX
Andrew Ransome
6/14/20262 min read
In 2015, Brentwood Borough Council approved a retrospective planning application for the creation of a separate maisonette following the subdivision of the exisitng house. This appliaction came about following enforcement contact with the client.
Despite an initial officer recommendation for refusal, the application was approved after planning arguments centred on housing land supply shortfall and the sustainability of the scheme were accepted.
The Planning Issue in Brentwood
Brentwood Borough Council's enforcement team had contacted a client who had converted a previously approved two-storey side extension into accommodation they believed to be an ancillary annexe.
In fact, the conversion constituted a separate dwelling, requiring its own planning permission — a distinction that is frequently misunderstood.
A retrospective planning application was required to regularise the position.
The difficulty was compounded when the case officer's initial assessment indicated a recommendation for refusal.
A robust planning response was required. The key argument advanced was that Brentwood Borough Council could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, meaning its adopted housing policies were out of date and the NPPF's presumption in favour of sustainable development applied. The creation of an additional dwelling, however modest, represented a real contribution to addressing the housing shortfall.
The scheme was also shown to provide a type of accommodation — a one-bedroom unit — that analysis demonstrated was in limited supply in the local area, strengthening the case on housing mix grounds.
On design and amenity matters, the proposal caused no harm to the streetscene or to neighbouring properties and complied with both local and national planning policy.
Sustained negotiation and engagement with the case officer resulted in a change of recommendation and the application was approved.
Planning Application Advice
If you have received enforcement contact from your local planning authority, or have carried out works you are uncertain about, early professional advice can make a significant difference to the outcome. Get in touch to discuss your situation.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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