It represents the third attempt to gain permission for the HMO despite there being evidence that the conversion has already taken place, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

The Station Tavern pictured in October 2024

The owner of an unauthorised house in multiple occupation (HMO) has applied for a third time to Enfield Council for planning permission – this time retrospectively.

The former Station Tavern pub building next to Brimsdown Station appears to already be in use as a HMO despite twice having planning applications rejected last year, as well as being under investigation by the local authority since last autumn.

The latest application is described as “part-retrospective”, with supporting documents for a change-of-use of the property to a six-bedroom HMO submitted in early April.

The first application to convert the former pub into a HMO was refused in May last year. Then, in July, the council refused a second application, saying “the applicant failed to address flood risk requirements”.

The site is very close to Brimsdown Ditch, a watercourse which flows alongside the railway line.

Despite this, when the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) visited the site in March there were multiple signs of people living there, including a mailbox next to the property with a sign which said: “Letters here for HMO rooms.”

This came more than five months after the council said it was investigating the premises for what appeared to be unapproved works to convert the Green Street property into a HMO.

When approached by the LDRS the local authority said it was aware of the issue. Explaining the apparent lack of action a spokesperson said: “Planning enforcement cases can take time to progress, and this site is subject to many investigations […] The council must ensure any investigation is thorough and robust, and all evidence is fully considered.”

The new planning application states that the change-of-use started on 1st April this year. It also states that works could cost up to £2m and are expected to commence in June.

But when the LDRS visited in March extensive building works were already being carried out at the site.

A ‘Mr Tepe’ is listed as the planning applicant. This is the same surname as the man behind a previously proposed tower block on the site of the pub, dubbed ‘Tepe Tower’, which was refused by the council for being “insufficiently high quality” in November 2024.

The agent for the latest application is listed as Ivan Chonkov of ADP London, “a design and research studio” based in the capital.

The new planning application includes a “drainage strategy” completed by RAB Consultants. On its website, the Staffordshire-based company says it has a team of “flood risk experts”.

The application can be viewed on the council’s planning portal using reference 26/01472/FUL.

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