Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Site visit made on 2 December 2025 by M Clowes BA (Hons) MCD PG CERT (Arch Con) MRTPI an Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State Decision date: 23 December 2025 Appeal Ref: APP/X5210/W/25/3371508 Iroko House, Lithos Road, London NW3 6ER • The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant planning permission. • The appeal is made by Mr Ganiyu Laniyan [Shian Housing Association Ltd] against the decision of the Council of the London Borough of Camden. • The application Ref is 2025/1886/P. • The development proposed is the replacement of single glazed timber frame windows and doors on front, rear and side elevations with double glazed uPVC frame windows and doors. Decision 1. The appeal is dismissed. Preliminary Matters 2. The description of development in the banner heading above is taken from the Council’s decision notice as it more accurately reflects the development proposed. 3. This appeal is one of 6 proposals for replacement windows within different properties that form part of the Lithos Road estate1.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Each appeal has been considered separately and determined independently of one another, although there are common themes and repetition within my reasoning. Main Issues 4. The main issues in relation to this appeal are i) the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the host building and wider area and ii) whether the proposal is an environmentally sustainable form of development. Reasons Character and Appearance 5. The appeal site comprises a 6-storey block of flats forming a terrace with other symmetrically designed ‘houses.’ The terrace has a strong architectural rhythm and harmony arising principally from the repeated use of detailed projecting balconies to the front. It visually relates to other buildings within the purpose-built 20th century housing estate which has its own distinct character, in contrast to the traditional terraces located further along Lithos Road to the north-east. Notwithstanding that there are other buildings nearby which have uPVC windows, within the housing estate timber is the prevalent and original material for windows and patio doors. As a component part of a wider terrace, the appeal site contributes positively to the appearance of the housing estate and wider area.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 1 Appeal references APP/X5210/W/25/3371504, APP/X5210/W/25/3371505, APP/X5210/W/25/3371506, APP/X5210/W/25/3371507 and APP/X5210/W/25/3371509. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 1 Appeal references APP/X5210/W/25/3371504, APP/X5210/W/25/3371505, APP/X5210/W/25/3371506, APP/X5210/W/25/3371507 and APP/X5210/W/25/3371509. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Appeal Decision APP/X5210/W/25/3371508 6. The Camden Planning Guidance; Design (CPGD) 2021 emphasises the importance of materials to the architectural design of a building, noting that the use of poor-quality or an unsympathetic palette of materials can diminish the quality of a well-designed building. The Home Improvements Camden Planning Guidance (HICPG) 2021 expands on this, by strongly discouraging the use of uPVC windows for aesthetic and environmental reasons. Such guidance applies regardless of whether a particular site is a designated heritage asset or located within one. I will return to the environmental considerations in the second main issue below. 7. The installation of double glazing is not disputed per se by the Council, and the CPGD and HICPG do not prohibit the use of uPVC altogether. The more contemporary architectural language of the appeal site and the wider estate, whilst providing flexibility in material choice, does not automatically render uPVC acceptable. Replacement uPVC windows were recently allowed on appeal at Sequoia House2. However, it occupies a less prominent position within the estate than the appeal site, which fronts directly onto Lithos Road.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision It is therefore important to assess the specific context of the appeal site. 8. Although the proposed window and door frames would have a woodgrain finish and similar opening arrangements, they would have chunkier frames and a more uniform finish, that would be distinguishable from the existing timber frames. Given the boundary screening at ground level, only the fenestration from first floor level and above would be visible from Lithos Road. The visibility of the proposed sliding doors would be interrupted by the projecting balconies which draw the eye due to their striking design and vertical alignment. The side panels to some of the central patio doors would not be screened but they would be subservient in views to the dominant balcony design. Despite the more prominent position, the specific design of Iroko House would mitigate the harm arising from the thicker uPVC frames. 9. Although there is a footpath to the rear of the appeal site, its narrowness and tall boundary wall in proximity to the rear elevation mean that the angle of viewing would be oblique. The change in the rear window proportions would not be unduly harmful in public views, despite forming part of the wider uniform terrace.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision I have not been advised of any other public vantage points from which the rear elevation of the appeal site could be seen to lead me to a different view. 10. The Council has referred me to 2 appeals at Kilburn High Road for the dismissal of uPVC windows3. However, that site related to an attractive historic building in a prominent corner position, such that I do not find it to have a comparable context. 11. For the above reasons, the proposal would not cause harm to the host building and the character and appearance of the area. It would therefore accord with Policy D1 of the Camden Local Plan (CLP) 2017 and Policy 2 of the Fortune Green and West Hampstead Neighbourhood Plan (NP) 2015. Together these policies, amongst other things, require developments to comprise details and materials that are of a high quality and complement the local character. Sustainability 12. Policy CC1 of the CLP requires all development to minimise the effects of climate change and encourages all developments to meet the highest feasible environmental standards, that are financially viable during construction and occupation. It supports and encourages sensitive energy efficiency improvements 2 Appeal reference APP/X5210/W/24/3349805.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 3 Appeal decisions APP/X5210/C/22/3305743 and APP/X5210/W/22/3302064. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 3 Appeal decisions APP/X5210/C/22/3305743 and APP/X5210/W/22/3302064. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 2

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Appeal Decision APP/X5210/W/25/3371508 to existing buildings through criterion (d). I have not been led to a specific definition of what would constitute a ‘sensitive’ energy improvement. However, in the first main issue above, I have not found harm with regard to the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area. 13. Nonetheless, criterion (f) of Policy CC1 expects all developments including refurbishments, to optimise resource efficiency by using materials with low embodied carbon content, even if it is deemed to be a sensitive energy efficiency improvement4. The explanatory text to the policy explains that embodied carbon is the carbon impact associated with the production, transport, assembly, use and disposal of materials. It does not include the carbon emissions associated with the energy used for heating, lighting or cooling in the completed building. 14. Therefore, the increase in the Standard Assessment Procedure rating for the energy efficiency of the dwellings by 5 points and the high thermal performance of the proposed windows, whilst important (U-value of 1.1 W/m²K), is not the only concern of the policy.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision The suggested reduction in energy consumption relies on assumptions of energy sources and does not take into account actual usage of the residents within the appeal site, such that I do not find it a credible calculation. 15. In any event, it has not been demonstrated that the proposed uPVC windows and doors would have a better thermal performance than other material choices such as timber, or that they could not address the water ingress, decay and draught penetration the appellant reports. No specific evidence has been submitted to substantiate the appellant’s claim that uPVC is durable, recyclable and has a lower embodied carbon footprint compared to FSC-certified hardwood. 16. In contrast, the HICPG strongly discourages uPVC windows for environmental reasons. It states that timber window frames have a lower embodied carbon content than uPVC and aluminium versions, including emissions from extraction, refinement, transportation and processing. The CPGD also references the inability of uPVC to biodegrade. 17. To support this position, the Council has also provided numerous academic and other independent studies that recognise timber as a sustainable material, that with maintenance, can last longer than uPVC5.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision The Roma Tre University review found that wooden frames generally have low levels of embodied energy and carbon dioxide emissions relative to their production processes. uPVC windows in contrast, were found to be more energy intensive and responsible for high emissions of harmful by-products such as hydrocarbons, dioxins, vinyl chloride, phthalates and heavy metals. Wood is consistently attributed by the academic and other sources as having the lowest embodied energy and the best environmental performance. They therefore reinforce what the guidance within the HICPG and CPGD seeks to achieve in conjunction with Policy CC1 of the CLP. 18. The appellant has not sought to dispute the findings of these studies, nor provided a specific comprehensive assessment on resource efficiency/embodied carbon energy of the proposed windows compared to possible timber or other alternatives. For this reason, I find that it has not been demonstrated that the proposed 4 As set out in paragraphs 8.17 and 8.18 of the explanatory text to Policy CC1 of the CLP.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 5 Including but not limited to, ‘Embodied Energy and Embodied GWP if Windows: A Critical Review’ by Asdrubali et al of the Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University 2021; ‘Double or Triple Glazing? All Pane and No Gain?’ by Circular Ecology 2014 and ‘Whole Life Analysis of Timber, Modified Timber and Aluminium Clad Timber Windows’ by the Institute of Building and Urban Design at Heriot-Watt University 2013 as provided at appendices F-H of the Council’s Statement of Case. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 3

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision 5 Including but not limited to, ‘Embodied Energy and Embodied GWP if Windows: A Critical Review’ by Asdrubali et al of the Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University 2021; ‘Double or Triple Glazing? All Pane and No Gain?’ by Circular Ecology 2014 and ‘Whole Life Analysis of Timber, Modified Timber and Aluminium Clad Timber Windows’ by the Institute of Building and Urban Design at Heriot-Watt University 2013 as provided at appendices F-H of the Council’s Statement of Case. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 3

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Appeal Decision APP/X5210/W/25/3371508 development would optimise resource efficiency by using a material with a low embodied carbon content, as required by Policy CC1. 19. I have reached a different conclusion on the scheme’s compliance with Policy CC1 of the CLP to the Inspector in the Sequoia House appeal6. This policy requires all 6 of the first criteria to be satisfied to demonstrate appropriate climate change mitigation, not just whether it amounts to sensitive energy efficiency improvements7. The appellant has failed to demonstrate that the expectations for new development as described in the supporting text to Policy CC1 have been met. My findings on this issue are consistent with the Inspector for the Kilburn High Road appeals. 20. I find that the proposal would not be a sustainable form of development. It would conflict with Policy CC1 of the CLP, as set out above. Other Matters 21. The Council has previously permitted aluminium replacement windows in Laurel and Sandalwood House’s. I have not been provided with any information other than the decision notice and plans which explains the reasons that the Council came to these decisions.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision Be that as it may, aluminium is a different material to uPVC such that the proposals are not like for like. The decisions were also made prior to the adoption of the HICPG and CPGD. This does not affect my findings. 22. A petition including signatories from different houses within the estate as well as an individual representation from a resident of Iroko House have been submitted in support of this proposal. Support however, does not indicate a lack of harm but I recognise the benefits that the proposal would have to the residents’ wellbeing from improved thermal insulation, safety and noise reduction. It is unclear why the residents have been waiting almost 3 years for replacement windows. However, I am not satisfied based on the evidence presented, that such benefits could not be achieved by alternative materials. Neither has it been demonstrated that ongoing maintenance or other alterations such as secondary glazing could not provide similar benefits to the residents. This attracts limited weight. Conclusion 23. In this particular context, the proposed development would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the host building and the wider area.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — Appeal Decision The absence of harm is however, neutral in the planning balance. The limited benefits of the scheme in this instance, do not outweigh the harm identified in respect of sustainability and the associated conflict with the development plan. There are no considerations of sufficient weight to indicate that a decision should be made otherwise than in accordance with it. Accordingly, the appeal should be dismissed.

Iroko House, Lithos Road, London, NW3 6ER — London Borough of Camden — M Clowes INSPECTOR 6 Appeal reference APP/X5210/W/24/3349805. 7 As indicated in the wording of Policy CC1 with ‘and’ linking criterion a-e with f. https://www.gov.uk/planning-inspectorate 4