The Planning Committee of Havering Council met on Thursday 15 October 2026 to discuss several planning applications and a highway stopping-up order. The committee considered the retention of a front porch at 91 Shepherds Hill, Romford, and planning permission for four new residential dwellings at land to the rear of 37 Dorset Avenue, Romford. They also considered the erection of two new flats on land adjacent to 107-109 Balgores Lane, Romford, and the stopping up of highway land at Chippenham Road, Heaton Ward.

Retention of Front Porch at 91 Shepherds Hill, Romford

The committee considered the retention of a front porch at 91 Shepherds Hill, Romford. The application was called in by Councillor Darren Wise due to concerns about the accuracy of submitted drawings and site information, as well as issues related to roof plant, noise, lighting, out-of-hours disturbance, site dimensions, construction type, parking, access, fire safety, trees, biodiversity, utilities, emissions, and environmental impact.

Case officer Kelvin Baker presented the report, noting that the application concerned the front porch of the restaurant and bar. Councillor Darren Wise, who called in the application, stated that while residents had concerns about noise from a rear terrace, their concerns regarding the front porch had been addressed by the amended proposal. He added that they had no objection to the approval of the front porch.

The material planning considerations included the impact of the porch on the Green Belt, its visual impact, and its effect on neighbouring amenity, highways, and parking. The officers concluded that the porch was acceptable in terms of design and did not have a detrimental impact on the surrounding street scene or the openness of the Green Belt. They also found that its scale and siting did not result in material harm to neighbouring amenity or create highway or parking issues. The committee noted the officer's recommendation to approve the application with conditions.

Four New Residential Dwellings at Land to the Rear of 37 Dorset Avenue, Romford

Planning permission was considered for the demolition of the existing house at 37 Dorset Avenue and the construction of four new residential dwellings. The application was called in by former Councillor Philippa Crowder due to concerns about the access to the rear right of way, increased traffic, loss of privacy, and loss of right of way into the rear garden of some residents.

Case officer Victoria Collins introduced the report, detailing the proposal for four family-sized dwellings on an underutilised backland site. She explained that the demolition of 37 Dorset Avenue would facilitate access, and that the development would include two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes, with associated amenity spaces, landscaping, parking, and refuse facilities.

The material planning considerations included the principle of development, design, character, street scene, quality of residential accommodation, inclusive design, housing mix, amenity of neighbouring occupiers, transport and highways, and trees. Objectors raised concerns about privacy, overlooking, overshadowing, noise, air and water pollution, increased pressure on infrastructure, traffic, insufficient parking, environmental impact, loss of trees, and overdevelopment.

Officers responded that the principle of development was acceptable, contributing to housing delivery. They stated that the design, scale, and layout were proportionate and integrated well with the surroundings. The quality of residential accommodation, inclusive design, and housing mix were deemed acceptable. Amenity impacts on neighbours were considered acceptable due to separation distances and window orientation. Transport and highways matters, including parking and cycle storage, were also found to be satisfactory. The committee noted the officer's recommendation to approve the application with conditions.

Two New Flats at Land Adjacent to 107-109 Balgores Lane, Romford

The committee considered the erection of a two-storey detached building to provide two two-bedroom flats, with associated parking, cycle and bin storage, and amenity space, following the demolition of existing garages. The application was called in by Councillor Christine Vickery due to concerns about the dominating impact on surroundings, overdevelopment, highway safety, lack of parking, loss of privacy, overlooking, and ongoing construction impacts.

Case officer Victoria Collins presented the report, outlining the proposal to demolish three garages and construct a two-storey building with two flats. She noted that the site was a corner plot at the junction of Balgores Lane and Chalforde Gardens, and that the surrounding area was predominantly residential.

Objectors raised concerns about the loss of existing garages, increased parking stress, insufficient parking provision, additional traffic, highway safety, overdevelopment, out-of-character design, loss of privacy, loss of daylight and sunlight, overbearing impact, noise and disturbance, refuse storage, and impact on a protected tree. Councillor Christine Vickery reiterated these concerns, emphasizing the overdevelopment, highway safety, and parking issues.

Officers responded that the principle of development was acceptable, contributing to housing supply. They stated that the design and character were in keeping with the area, and that the scale and siting would not result in material harm to neighbouring amenity. Transport and highways implications, including parking and cycle storage, were considered acceptable, with a legal agreement to restrict residents from obtaining parking permits. The committee noted the officer's recommendation to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the imposition of recommended planning conditions, including an additional condition regarding the use of parking spaces before occupation.

Stopping Up Order at Chippenham Road, Heaton Ward

The committee considered the stopping up of highway land at Chippenham Road, Heaton Ward. This action is necessary to enable development to proceed in accordance with planning permission granted under application reference P1150.24, which involves the erection of 138 affordable housing units.

Legal advisor Inioluwa Owoyemi explained that the stopping up of the highway was required to facilitate the approved development, which would encroach onto the existing public highway. The council's highway officers had no objection to the proposed stopping up order. The process would involve statutory consultation, and a local inquiry might be held if objections were received from statutory undertakers or other affected parties. The committee approved the authorisation of the stopping up order, delegating authority to the Assistant Director of Planning to facilitate the process.