The Strategic Planning Committee of Havering Council met on Thursday 11 September 2025 to discuss a proposed residential-led development at the former Homebase site in Davidson's Way, Romford. The committee heard presentations and debated various aspects of the proposal, including its scale, design, infrastructure, and provision for affordable housing and community facilities. No final decisions were made at this pre-application stage, but a comprehensive summary of the committee's views was compiled.

Former Homebase Site, Davidson's Way, Romford

The committee received a presentation on a proposed development at the former Homebase site in Davidson's Way, Romford. The proposal includes the demolition of the existing building and the construction of up to 600 new homes, alongside 400 square meters of flexible non-residential space, a new primary school, and a public park. The development is situated within the Romford Strategic Development Area and aims to regenerate a brownfield site, contributing to the council's housing land supply.

The proposed buildings would range in height from eight to 16 storeys, with the tallest block located in the north-west corner. The scheme is designed to be car-free, with exceptions for wheelchair-accessible spaces, aligning with the London Plan's emphasis on sustainable transport. The unit mix is geared towards smaller dwellings, with 40% one-bedroom and 45% two-bedroom units. The applicant is targeting 20% of the scheme to be affordable housing, specifically for social rent. The proposal also includes plans for the naturalisation of the River Rom, which forms the eastern boundary of the site.

During the discussion, Councillor Judith Holt, the ward councillor for St Albans Ward, expressed concerns about the scale of the development, describing it as a gross overdevelopment in the context of other large nearby schemes. She questioned the impact on local infrastructure, including Queen's Hospital, and highlighted the difference between affordable and social housing, expressing concern about the limited provision of the latter. Councillor Holt also voiced scepticism about the car-free aspect of the development, citing existing parking pressures in Romford. She did, however, welcome the proposed park and improvements to the River Rom.

Committee members raised several points, including the need for detailed assessment of sewage capacity, the provision of drop-off points for the commercial spaces, and the ownership structure of the land designated for the new primary school. Concerns were also raised about the potential for noise and air pollution, the lack of large family homes, and the contextual appropriateness of the 16-storey building. The committee also discussed the naturalisation of the River Rom, the provision of bulk storage for residents, and the potential impact of the building heights on the flight path of the air ambulance serving Queen's Hospital.

The developers responded to these points, explaining that detailed assessments of infrastructure capacity would be undertaken. They indicated that the commercial space was flexible and could potentially accommodate health provision, and that servicing and emergency vehicle access would be managed through a network of smaller roads within the site. Regarding the housing mix, it was clarified that while the overall scheme focused on smaller units, the affordable rented accommodation would comprise two and three-bedroom homes. The developers also noted that while townhouses were not a primary feature, five three-storey homes would be incorporated into the blocks.

The committee's views, as summarised by the Director of Planning, Public Protection, Ellen Ockleby, included a welcome for the River Rom proposals and the public realm interventions, but with a need for protection against abuse and during construction. Concerns were raised about the park's size, practicality, shading, and intended users. Further details were requested regarding the use of the commercial floor space. While acknowledging the London Plan's position on parking, the committee felt more parking should be provided for commercial spaces, with clear management plans and provision for disabled parking. Clarity was sought on the delivery of the new school, and it was suggested that commercial space could be used for health provision, with improved pedestrian linkages to the hospital. The committee expressed disappointment at the lack of family homes and the 16-storey building's contextual appropriateness, advocating for more senior living provision. They also requested confirmation of sewage capacity, provision for bulk storage, noise attenuation measures, and investigation into the air ambulance flight path and land contamination. The outcome of an archaeological study was also requested.

The meeting was a pre-application discussion, and no formal decisions were made. The developers were encouraged to incorporate the committee's feedback into future stages of the design process.

Attendees:

• Councillor Reg Whitney (Chairman)
• Councillor Ray Best
• Councillor Timothy Ryan
• Councillor John Crowder
• Councillor Laurance Garrard (substituting for Councillor Robby Misir)
• Councillor Jane Keane

Documents:

• Printed minutes 11th-Sep-2025 19.00 Strategic Planning Committee
• Agenda frontsheet 11th-Sep-2025 19.00 Strategic Planning Committee
• Public reports pack 11th-Sep-2025 19.00 Strategic Planning Committee
• 250828 SPC Minutes DocPackPublic.version0001.pdf
• DevelopmentPresentations.pdf
• Former Homebase Rpt.pdf