Havering Approves Six Flats in Romford Town Centre
Planning permission secured from the London Borough of Havering for six new flats above a retained retail unit in central Romford, overcoming a Historic England objection through targeted heritage argument.
PLANNING APPROVALSHAVERINGLONDON
Andrew Ransome
6/18/20262 min read
In 2017, the London Borough of Havering's Planning Committee approved a scheme for six new flats above a retained retail unit in central Romford, despite a recommendation for refusal driven by a Historic England objection.
The case was resolved by demonstrating that the objection was subjective, contrary to heritage guidance, and failed to reflect the legal position on listed buildings.
Overcoming Planning Issues in Havering
Planning approval was secured from the London Borough of Havering for the vertical extension of an existing retail unit in the centre of Romford to create six new residential flats on the upper floors.
The site adjoined a Grade II listed building and a Grade II* listed church, making heritage impact the central planning issue.
A positive pre-application discussion with the Council had shaped the final scheme: the massing was reduced, the proposed additional floor was set back to reveal the roofline of the neighbouring listed building, and historically influenced elevational treatments — render and timber — were specified to complement the heritage setting.
Despite these careful design responses, and notwithstanding the positive pre-application engagement, the scheme was recommended for refusal on the basis of an objection from Historic England.
With the project's heritage consultant, the Historic England comments were analysed in detail.
It was identified that they were subjective in nature, contrary to applicable heritage guidance, and did not accurately reflect the legal framework governing the setting of listed buildings.
A comprehensive committee pack was prepared, setting out the material considerations in favour of the scheme including the design quality, the lack of harm to the heritage assets, the efficient reuse of an existing building of limited architectural merit, and the delivery of housing in a town centre location.
The Planning Committee approved the scheme, overriding the officer recommendation.
Planning Application Advice
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Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
About me
Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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Get in touch for planning advice: Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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