The second public consultation for The Liberty redevelopment was hosted by owner Redical Ltd inside the shopping centre earlier this month.
Boards were set up showing the pre-application plans for the scheme, which includes up to 800 new homes, also including a “landmark” 25-storey tower block.
Other key features of the proposal include new and improved retail space, longer business opening hours, and some significant changes to the shopping centre itself.
Redical claimed that 62% of responses they had gathered in the months before this second consultation were “broadly positive”.
We spoke to members of the public who went to see the plans for themselves.
One woman, Hannah, told us she is looking forward to the proposed open space.
She said: “It’s interesting. I’d probably like more greener space – it would be nice to walk around more.
“Hopefully there will be new, nice shops and coffee shops.”
Her friend Katie said: “I’d like more places to sit and read and things like that.”
Another visitor, Alan Noble, had mixed feelings.
He said: “Regenerating Romford is great, no problem with it at all.
“I like to see the local stalls – you worry about them getting priced out.
“Prices are ridiculous – that’s why we have so many empty shops.”
Market Place has been a part of the designated Romford conservation area since 1968, thanks to its historic buildings and crossroads.
It hosts a wide range of stalls three days a week, and markets form part of the history of the town from 1247.
According to Redical, the plans intend to “transform” the Market Place into a lively setting that respects the history of the site while improving user experience by improving store fronts.
Husband and wife Roy and Francis Plume were also torn over plans.
Roy said: “We’ve lived here 55 years and we’ve seen the decline of Romford.”
Francis revealed they are not “very trusting”, adding: “It would be good, the design looks lovely but it doesn’t look to me like Romford.
“We haven’t got the infrastructure at all. We’re all overburdened.
This concern over lack of infrastructure such as health care and education is one that has been voiced online.
READ MORE: School streets and rogue landlords among issues set for scrutiny
Inhealth Clinic forms part of the large site for the scheme, with Redical revealing the health centre could be “lost only temporarily”.
Application documents available online show that the replacement of the health clinic or similar facility is “anticipated” if plans are approved.
The Recorder contacted Redical for its response to local concerns.
