Havering Council-owned developer Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) has submitted planning applications to redevelop car parks at Como Street, Angel Way, Dorrington Gardens, and Keswick Avenue into housing.
The plans have sparked mixed reactions from residents, community groups and councillors – some welcoming the redevelopment, others raising concerns about parking loss, infrastructure strain, and privacy.
Here’s a rundown of everything we know about the proposals for each site, the public response, and what happens next.
Como Street, Romford
What the Como Street development could look like(Image: Havering Council)
Plans for Como Street car park include 138 homes – across a nine-storey block of flats and three terraced houses – as well as a flexible retail or community space.
The application was submitted in July and is expected to be decided on October 27.
The proposal has faced strong opposition with residents forming an action group to raise concerns about privacy, infrastructure, and the loss of parking.
More than 100 objections were submitted during the consultation period, the group estimates.
But a spokesperson for Havering Council said the fact that the building height has already been reduced by three storeys shows the “council’s willingness to listen to local residents’ concerns”.
Angel Way, Romford
Angel Way’s five-storey multi-storey car park is set to be demolished to make way for 106 homes in two blocks, plus shops and community facilities.
Some residents support removing the “eyesore” car park, but worry about overcrowding and infrastructure strain.
Romford Civic Society objected to the design, calling it “garish” and “poor quality”.
The proposal had an expected decision date listed as September 5 but remains undecided.
Councillor Graham Williamson, cabinet lead for development and regeneration, previously told the Recorder Havering Council acknowledges the concerns raised and welcomes feedback from residents and stakeholders.
Dorrington Gardens, Hornchurch
A total of 34 homes are earmarked for Dorrington Gardens car park, consisting of 22 flats across two central three-storey blocks and 12 semi-detached houses either side.
The scheme also includes communal gardens and 24 resident parking spaces.
Residents and business owners in Hornchurch expressed concern over parking loss, while Cllr Paul Middleton said the area is “lucky” to have many other options for parking.
Despite more than 40 objections, the application was approved in May, with MLH arguing that housing would be a better use of the land than the 188-space car park.
Keswick Avenue, Hornchurch
Keswick Avenue is set to be redeveloped into six three-bedroom homes, each with a private garden and one parking space.
The plans for the 42-space car park were submitted in April 2024 and approved in August 2024.
