Aveley Lake Holdings submitted a retrospective planning application to change the use of Whitepost Farm, in Ockendon Road, Upminster, to a car sales site in May this year.
Used car dealership London Motor Company (LMC) has been operating from the farm without planning permission since November last year, changing its office address to the Upminster site on November 4, according to Companies House.
The relationship between LMC and applicant Aveley Lake Holdings is not known.
On December 5, Havering Council refused the application, describing it as “detrimental” to the surrounding area.
The applicant must now either cease operations or appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
In the reasons listed for the refusal, the council said the development gives rise to a “profound and material impact upon the character and openness of the green belt”.
It was also deemed to have an “urbanising effect” on the character of the site “far removed from its historic and any former uses”.
Previous development at the site, including vehicle storage, increased hard-standing and works to existing structures, were described as “detrimental to the setting of the locally-listed Whitepost Farmhouse”.
The scale and intensity of the proposal and expansion previously undeveloped areas, along with the number of vehicles and related development, were also deemed damaging.
A spokesperson for the council told the Recorder: “Havering Council refused the application for retrospective planning permission at Whitepost Farm.
“The site owner now has two options: either remove the unauthorised development or appeal the decision to the Planning Inspectorate.
“If the development is not removed, the council will consider issuing a planning enforcement notice to deal with the breach of planning rules.”
The application also sought permission for extensions and recladding of buildings, laying of gravel hardstanding, landscaping, lighting columns and a security barrier.
A planning statement drawn up by WSP, on behalf of Aveley Lake Holdings, shows that the site stretches over 17,300sq m and includes two office buildings, two workshops, and two double-stacked cabin units.
There are also two parking areas and resurfaced gravel space in the centre for the display of cars for sale.
It is unclear from the planning documents how much was already on the site before LMC moved there.
Whitepost Farm is located on green belt land and in a conservation area, but has had a “a range of uses over the years”, according to the planning statement, including offices, call centres and joinery workshops.
LMC has been contacted for comment.
