Harold Court Road in Romford. (credit: Google Maps)
(Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sebastian Mann)
Havering Council’s planning committee green-lit Billet Developments’ plans for Harold Court Road at a meeting last night (Thursday 1st).
The three-bedroom homes will replace a series of garages to the rear of the street, and were first pitched in 2020.
The committee’s decision hinged on the replacement of brick walls that had previously been torn down.
The scheme went before the committee in February, but councillors opted to defer their decision to assess whether the walls could be rebuilt. The following month, the applicant agreed they could be.
Planning officers recommended the proposals for approval – with a string of conditions attached – but many neighbours were adamantly against them.
Residents expressed concern over potential loss of light, privacy and whether emergency services could access the “narrow” road.
The 35 objectors also argued the buildings would be “too close” to pre-existing homes and could necessitate the felling of nearby trees.
That issue was also touched on by committee member Philippa Crowder, but she was told by planning officer Habib Neshat the trees would “hopefully” not be affected.
Phil Fowler, a resident living nearby, told the committee they were “vital” for the local ecosystem.
Other objections – regarded as ‘immaterial’ in the report – related to residents potentially losing the view from their homes and how the new builds would impact property prices in the area.
Though the plans were ultimately given the green light, the developers will have to adhere to a total of 15 conditions.
They will need to install new fencing as well as rebuild the brick walls along the boundaries of the site. Additionally, the two-storey homes will be ineligible for upward extensions and the installation of dormer windows is prohibited.
Before work can properly commence, Billet will need to seek separate permission for any external lighting and hard or soft landscaping.
Representative John Scott, speaking on behalf of the applicant, told the committee: “We’ll make sure that everything that needs to be done will be done.”
Havering Council, like many others in London, has said there is a “pressing need” for more houses in the borough.
Some 3,500 new homes are expected to be built across Havering by 2029, as part of a joint scheme with Wates Residential.
The largest site, named Waterloo Estate, will see 1,380 houses built in Romford.
