12:11 pm, October 20, 2023
A used car dealer in East London has had its planning application refused after councillors said it would be ‘unacceptably dominant and visually intrusive’.
Imperials Hornchurch, on Butts Green Road, Emerson Park, put in plans in July to Havering Council to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a three-storey commercial building.
Plans show the ground floor would have housed the car showroom while the first and second floor would have been used as office space, as pictured above.
However, on October 13, the council published its refusal of the application, saying the development would be ‘harmful to the appearance of the surrounding area’.
Currently, Imperials showroom in Hornchurch is housed in a single-storey building on the corner of Butts Green Road and Wykeham Avenue.
Google Maps image of Imperials Hornchurch
The used car dealer specialises in performance models and has a second showroom in Chelmsford.
In its decision, the council added: ‘There is insufficient information with respect to the ground floor car showroom access to and from the highways.
‘In the absence of such information, there is concern the proposal would have an adverse impact upon the safe condition of the road users as well the traffic flow in this section of the highways, contrary to Policy 23 of the Local Plan 2021.’
Imperials can still appeal against the decision.
Image credit (top): Imperials/Havering Council
