We oppose the Resident Association’s Master plan to increase central Romford’s population by 25,000
Cllr Keith Prince - Leader, Havering Conservatives
I think we can all agree that there is a need for more homes for the residents of Havering. But even the Council recognise that the need for those already residing on in Havering is for 2, 3 &4 bed family homes
This will not be reflected in the Council's current Romford Masterplan which is proposing to massively increase the density of accommodation in Central Romford .The current proposal will see blocks of flats going up all over the centre of Romford with some areas having unlimited heights.
There will be a degradation of parking with the developments themselves being allowed zero parking provision. This will encourage developers to build 1 & 2 bed rabbit hutches which are completely unsuitable for our own residents who are desperate to move out of there current accommodation and move into a family home for their growing families.
Havering has one of the fastest growing children’s populations in London and it is this growth that needs proper family homes where young people can thrive.
The need is Houses with gardens or at least some greenery nearby where the children can grow up in a safe environment.
The Councils current proposals do not reflect this in any way it’s all about intensifying the centre of Romford.
The Masterplan which is being forced through by the current Resident Association run Council is almost identical to the plan proposed to the previous Conservative Led Council who rejected it out of hand as being, impractical, unsustainable and unacceptable. I Recently meet with a former Leader of Havering Roger Ramsay and he was very dismissive of the proposed Master Plans and confirmed that it was nothing more than a rehash of the previous report that was rejected.
As well as the increase of density and, in areas, unlimited height restrictions, there are plans for narrowing the ring road. The plan puts many more pedestrian crossings across the Ring Road and takes the roof off the Liberty, which would be the death nell for it as it is struggling to compete with Lakeside and Westfield as it is.
I remember when I was just out of school worked in the long gone John Farmers, who were roughly where boots are now, and on wet winter days we would stare out at an empty Liberty because people just stayed away.
Imagine now with all the competition people just would not bother to come and what about all those pop ups they would go too.
But what is worse about this massive increase in population is the lack of infrastructure.
There is reference to possibly a new primary school but that’s it!! What about, a senior school Dentists, Doctors!
Again I was speaking with some one connected to Queens and they told me that would be overwhelmed by such a massive increase in population.
We have asked the Resident's Association run Council to extend the consultation period, which is currently 6 weeks.
We do not feel this is anywhere long enough for resident to review and consider such a life changing document.
I, and my conservative colleagues, are asking you to reject sign our petition rejecting the Masterplan.
