The Planning Committee of Redbridge Council was scheduled to meet on 3 December 2025 to discuss a planning application and approve the minutes of a previous meeting. The main item for consideration was a planning application for a mixed-use development at Newton Industrial Estate in Chadwell Heath.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics that were listed on the agenda:

Planning Application: Newton Industrial Estate Redevelopment

The committee was scheduled to consider application 1472/25, concerning the redevelopment of Newton Industrial Estate, Eastern Avenue West, Chadwell Heath, Romford, RM6 5SD. The proposal, submitted by Al-Noor Foundation (ANF), Gardens of Peace (GoP) and Ulo Homes Ltd, involves the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a mixed-use development ranging from four to ten storeys.

The development was intended to provide:

• 196 residential units (C3)
• Light industrial workshops (Eq ii and Eq iii)
• Office space
• A community facility (Eq i / F2)
• Associated car and cycle parking
• Landscaping and highway works

The application included amended plans, with minor changes to the submitted scheme, including the removal of a vehicular access onto Shepherds Close.

Key Considerations

The report pack outlined several key considerations for the committee:

• Housing Delivery: The development would contribute to the council's housing target of 1,409 homes per annum, as required under the current London Plan. The delivery of 196 new homes was considered a significant benefit.
• Affordable Housing: 45.5% of the homes, measured by habitable room, were proposed as affordable housing, with 60.4% of these at Affordable Rent.
• Industrial Space: The scheme included 1,066 sqm of light industrial space, intended for key sectors such as making, event management, business services and the circular economy.
• Community Use: A 402sqm community facility was proposed, along with 97 sqm of office space for the Al-Noor Foundation.
• Design and Amenity: The proposed development was expected to have an acceptable design and no significant adverse impacts on neighbouring amenity, complying with Local Plan Policies LP26 & LP27 and London Plan Policies D3, D4, D5, D6, D7 & D8.
• Transportation: The proposal was not expected to be detrimental to highway safety, subject to a section 106 agreement¹ to restrict parking permits and fund local improvements.

Objections

The report pack noted that 73 objections had been received from local residents, with concerns raised about the height of the development, potential traffic congestion, and the impact on local amenities. Councillor Anne Sachs also raised concerns about access to Shepherds Close and parking.

GLA Comments

The Greater London Authority (GLA) had raised concerns about the potential conflict with development plan policy on the retention of industrial capacity at the site. They also requested further information on transport, urban design and sustainability.

Recommendation

The planning officer's recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to a section 106 agreement and planning conditions.

The report pack stated that the Director of Planning and Building Control was to be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to:

• Referral to the Mayor of London, given the scheme has parts over 30m high and is for more than 150 homes, for his decision as to whether to direct refusal: take it over for his own determination: or allow the Council to determine it itself.
• The conditions set out below, the exact terms of which are delegated to the Director of Planning and Building Control to approve,
• The satisfactory completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended), Section 16 of the Planning Act 2008 and any other enabling powers to cover the following matters:

The recommendation to grant planning permission was subject to numerous conditions covering various aspects of the development, including:

• Archaeology
• Sustainable Drainage (SuDS)
• Construction Management & Logistics Plan
• Land contamination
• Biodiversity Net Gain Plan
• Noise Mitigation
• Wheelchair Dwellings
• Overheating and Cooling Control Strategy
• Landscaping, Play areas & Management Plan
• Cycle Parking provision
• Facing Materials
• Electric vehicle charging Points (EVCP)
• Walls and Fences
• Piling Method Statement
• Community use & Engagement Strategy
• Public realm safety
• Industrial opening hours, servicing and ventilation
• Noise Management
• Delivery and Servicing Plan
• Whole Life-Cycle Carbon assessment
• BREEAM rating