Havering Council has granted approval for a controversial 1,000-home development in Romford, moving forward with both the overall master plan and detailed consent for the first phase of construction. The project, designed by three prominent architectural firms, will transform a former industrial site on Bridge Close into a major residential complex featuring 383 homes and a new primary school in its initial phase.
The development faced significant community resistance, with local residents submitting more than 2,500 letters opposing the plans compared to just 58 letters of support. Much of the opposition centered around the demolition and forced relocation of the Havering Islamic and Cultural Centre, which serves as the largest mosque in the area. The religious center was compelled to enter negotiations with the council after Havering Council used compulsory purchase powers to acquire the Bridge Close site.
Fletcher Priest Architects developed the master plan for the entire development, while Allies and Morrison and Maccreanor Lavington designed specific components of Phase One. The project was submitted for planning approval by a company wholly owned by the Borough of Havering, representing a council-led regeneration initiative.
The council initially offered to relocate the Islamic center within a new on-site community space as part of the proposed development. However, mosque officials rejected this proposal, and the religious institution is currently searching for an alternative location elsewhere in the community. The council has committed to finding a suitable new site for the center as part of the relocation agreement.
The Allies and Morrison-designed portion of the development comprises two 14-story buildings containing a total of 229 homes designated for market sale. This section also includes 1,100 square meters of commercial and amenity space for residents' use. The second plot, designed by Maccreanor Lavington, features a nine-story building with 154 homes that will be offered through a mix of social rent, shared ownership, and private sale options, along with 800 square meters of retail space.
Educational infrastructure plays a central role in the development, with a multi-story three-form primary school positioned adjacent to the residential buildings. The school will include a nursery facility and a specialized unit designed for children with special educational needs. The first residential phase commits to providing 35 percent affordable housing, meeting local requirements for mixed-income developments.
The master plan incorporates significant public amenities, including two new public squares designed to serve different community functions. One square will feature green space with seating areas for relaxation and community gathering, while the other will serve as a civic hub, connecting to the school and a health center planned for delivery in later phases of the broader development scheme.
Tom Waddicor, associate director at Maccreanor Lavington, emphasized the project's integrated approach to urban development. "Bridge Close demonstrates how homes of all tenures and critical social infrastructure can be delivered at density while ensuring generous, high-quality amenity spaces for all uses," Waddicor stated. "The new school offers an important civic focus as a standalone building, alongside an elegant mansion court of thoughtfully designed homes."
Environmental considerations feature prominently in the development plans, particularly regarding the site's relationship with the River Rom, which borders the eastern edge of the property. The master plan includes initiatives to re-naturalize the adjoining riverbank through the installation of coir rolls to control erosion, extensive new planting, and the creation of a new pedestrian pathway along the water's edge.
Connectivity improvements represent another key component of the project, with plans for a new pedestrian bridge over the river at the site's northeast corner. This bridge will provide direct pedestrian access to central Romford and the nearby Elizabeth Line station, enhancing public transportation connections for residents.
Stina Hokby, associate partner at Fletcher Priest Architects, described the project as exemplifying modern urban housing needs. "This is a great example of the type of housing we need in urban centers, creating a new neighborhood that benefits the wider community, knitting in with the existing streets," Hokby explained.
Paul Eaton, partner at Allies and Morrison, praised the collaborative nature of the project development process. "The work had been a great collaboration between the council and the design team, and the practice was pleased to see its contribution play a part in Fletcher Priest's thoughtful master plan," Eaton noted.
The development represents a significant investment in Romford's urban regeneration, transforming underutilized industrial land into a mixed-use community that addresses both housing needs and social infrastructure requirements. Despite the community opposition, particularly regarding the mosque relocation, the council has moved forward with the approval, citing the project's contribution to addressing local housing shortages and providing essential community facilities.
