Havering Council has set its sights on a comprehensive £451 million regeneration project in Romford town centre, planning to utilise compulsory purchase orders as a means to progress. The ambitious initiative, set to transform Bridge Close, encompasses proposals for the development of 1,070 homes, a new school, a health centre, and several commercial units. Despite owning a majority of the required land, the council is faced with the challenge of acquiring the remaining portions from hesitant landowners.

To date, the majority of residential property owners along the Romford ring road have agreed to sell their land to the council. However, acquisition of the commercial estate located behind these homes has proved more challenging, with only 65% of the area secured. Graham Williamson, Havering’s cabinet member for planning and regeneration, has expressed a preference for reaching mutual agreements with the remaining landowners but did not shy away from confirming the council’s readiness to employ compulsory purchase powers as a measure of last resort to fulfil its vision for the site.

The council’s ambition is marked by a timeline aiming for planning permission by September of the current year, with a public inquiry regarding the use of compulsory purchase orders anticipated in 2025. Nonetheless, the project’s feasibility remains under scrutiny, particularly after the withdrawal of initial joint-venture partners First Base Limited and Savills Investment Management Limited in 2020, citing concerns over the housing market’s momentum, rising construction costs, and inflation.

In light of these challenges, Havering Council remains committed to ensuring a significant portion of the housing developed is accessible and affordable. Targets set aim for 35% to 50% of the flats to be classified as affordable, subject to the project’s overall viability. This ambition translates into 148 flats available at affordable rent—defined as 80% of the market rate—and 339 flats designated for shared ownership.

A viability assessment conducted by Savills has indicated a potential financial shortfall, highlighting the necessity for a £76 million additional subsidy to support the affordable housing component of the project. Without this subsidy, the project could face a deficit of £60 million.

The council has partitioned its planning application into two segments: a detailed proposal for 383 homes on a section of the site, with broader plans for the remainder of the site to follow. This structured approach underscores the council’s commitment to revitalising Romford town centre, despite the financial and logistical hurdles that lie ahead.