The Strategic Planning Committee met to discuss a pre-application for a new Islamic Community Centre on South Street, Romford and a hybrid planning application for the redevelopment of the Farnham and Hilldene Estate, approving the latter with additional conditions relating to noise and deliveries. The committee deferred making any decision on the former, pending further information about traffic management and parking.

Havering Islamic Community Centre, South Street

The committee considered a pre-application for the partial demolition of the existing building at 222-226 South Street, Romford, and redevelopment of the site to erect a new Havering Islamic Community Centre (HICC). The existing site is occupied by the locally listed Page Calnan Building, where the proposal seeks to retain the facade and to redevelop the rear of the site to form a new Islamic Community Centre.

Richard Byrne, case officer, explained that the applicant, the Havering Islamic Community Centre, is exploring the feasibility of relocating to the South Street location due to the proposed redevelopment of Bridge Close. The proposed building would provide prayer and education spaces across three levels, accommodating up to 1,200 worshippers, and the scheme had been presented to the Havering Quality Review Panel.

The applicant's team, including Richard, Megan, Paddy, Sarah, Peter and Ava, presented the scheme, highlighting the need for relocation, the site's suitability, the retention of the heritage facade, the design's evolution, and the sustainable transport strategy.

Councillor Judith Holt, ward councillor for St Albans Ward, raised concerns about community engagement, the travel plan, parking, the riverside entrance, the ladies' entrance, and the height of the minaret.

Committee members then raised concerns about:

• The number of attendees compared to the current mosque.
• Drop-off point management.
• The location's suitability given the high density of vehicle access.
• The impact on traffic and pedestrian safety.
• The use of Old Church Rise for parking.
• The design and aesthetic of the building, including the security fencing and the colour scheme.
• Noise pollution from the minaret and the potential for noise nuisance to nearby residents.
• The lack of parking and the need for a detailed travel plan.
• The impact on trees and the urban greening factor¹.
• The size and accessibility of facilities for women and people with disabilities.
• The impact on bus services.
• Servicing and cooking smells.

The applicant's team responded to the questions, clarifying that there would be no external call to prayer, that acoustic consultants were involved, and that they were committed to resolving traffic issues. They also stated that surveys had been conducted to gather data on travel modes, age breakdowns and disabilities.

Councillor Robby Misir, Member Champion for Equalities & Diversity, noted that the East London Mosque used to be a nightmare, but now it is a zero-parking mosque, and it is not a nightmare anymore.

Simon Furwell-Neil-Gote, Assistant Director of Planning, summarised the points raised by the committee.

Councillor Jane Keane requested another meeting to discuss the traffic situation in more detail.

The committee agreed that the applicant should come back to the Strategic Planning Committee for a second time, but no decision was made on the application at this point.

Farnham and Hilldene Estate, Romford

The committee then considered an application for hybrid planning permission for the redevelopment of the Harold Hill District Centre. The proposal involves the comprehensive development of the Farnham and Hilldene Local Centre, with the exception of the Harold Hill Library. All existing buildings within the red line boundary will be demolished to enable the mixed use scheme delivering up to 481 homes, and between approximately 6,000 to 6,000 square metres of flexible commercial and community floor space.

Richard Byrne, case officer, introduced the report, explaining the hybrid nature of the application, the master plan layout, the phases of development, and the proposed materials for block A.

Ms Brayne presented on the material planning considerations of the application, highlighting the scheme's alignment with the London plan, local plan, and the MPPF².

Councillor Keane raised concerns about parking, the reduction in commercial floor space, the lack of infrastructure, the lack of large accommodation, single aspect buildings, the pub use, the retail businesses, and the car club.

Other committee members raised concerns about:

• The bulk of the blocks along Farnham Avenue.
• Overshadowing.
• The lack of parking.
• The height of the buildings.

Committee members requested more information about parking provision, the viability of the scheme, the infrastructure contributions, the number of family units, the single aspect units, the pub use, the retail businesses, the servicing arrangements, and the bus capacity.

Officers responded to the questions, clarifying the parking numbers, the viability of the scheme, the infrastructure contributions, the number of family units, the single aspect units, the pub use, the retail businesses, and the servicing arrangements.

Councillor Keane proposed adapting condition number 42 to reflect the days of the week, so that deliveries are restricted on Sundays and bank holidays.

The committee voted to approve the application with the conditions set out in the report, with the additional conditions that there is a specific condition in relation to the pub that covers off noise and ventilation plant and machinery, and that condition number 42 is adapted to reflect the days of the week, so that deliveries are restricted on Sundays and bank holidays. The application was approved by five votes to one abstention.