A proposal to redevelop a dated industrial area with more than 1,000 homes and a school has been submitted to the council.
A planning application by Bridge Close Regeneration LLP, a development company wholly owned by Havering Council, has sought approval to fully transform the site in Bridge Close, Romford.
The plans offer up to 1,070 new homes, including affordable housing, a three-form entry primary school, a health centre, a community centre and a new pedestrian and cycle bridge among other amenities.
The council said the development incorporates greening and naturalisation of River Rom and will provide improvements to public spaces with an “extensive investment” made in the public realm.
The proposal, it added, has a mix of private and 35% affordable homes that are “high-quality, energy-efficient” and “fit for the future”.
It also reportedly offers better access around Romford for pedestrians and cyclists with a new bridge crossing to act as a “safe, quick and direct route” to Romford station.
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Additionally, a new park and a trim trail is expected to support healthy and active living for the future residents, with accessible cycle racks and cycle paths and dedicated disabled parking spaces close to the health centre.
Traffic management measures would be introduced, including a school street for the primary school.
The council further said that the proposals have been submitted after carrying out “extensive consultations” with local people of Romford, in which over 2,000 residents have participated since 2018.
It claimed that people have shown their “wide support” for the investment and the development of the industrial part of Romford town centre.
Some of the community feedback, like increasing accessibility to town centre and public transport, was added into the plans, it said.
The scheme, the council added, is funded by its Housing Revenue Account which is dedicated for housing and is not affected by the council’s current financial position that has driven it close to bankruptcy.
The “much-needed” affordable homes will help reduce the pressures on housing in the borough, the council suggested.
The application comes after the outline of another major development on the site of Rom Valley Way Retail Park and Seedbed Centre was approved by the council on December 7 to provide 840 homes.
During the planning committee meeting, the council planning manager had claimed that the medical hub to be built as part of the Bridge Close development will help serve the future residents from Rom Valley Way Retail Park too.
Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Lead for Development and Regeneration, said a “huge amount of engagement and consultation” had taken place ahead of the submission of the Bridge Close planning application.
He said the plans reflect the council’s commitment to deliver “modern, energy-efficient, high-quality homes and infrastructure” for local people and form part of the broader ambition for Romford town centre.
“I am delighted therefore that we are finally able to progress with the scheme”, he added.
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