Housebuilder Bellway has completed the clearance of former Harold Wood Hospital buildings in Romford, paving the way for a 96-home development.
The scheme, named The Comptons, is set to include 74 properties for private sale and 22 ‘affordable’ homes on a 2.8-acre site off Copse Avenue.
William Weston-Smith, land director for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “The completion of demolition work at the former Harold Wood Hospital site is a very important step in the process of regenerating this redundant brownfield site.
“We can now press on with the construction programme which should enable us to release the first homes onto the market in the summer of 2026.
“The development will provide a range of much-needed private and affordable housing in a sustainable location just a 10-minute walk from Harold Wood railway station.
“As well as delivering 96 high-quality and energy-efficient new homes we will be making a significant investment to help improve the local infrastructure which includes a contribution for extra secondary school places.”
Bellway will contribute more than £1.3 million towards community improvements as part of the project.
This includes £954,335 through the Community Infrastructure Levy, £250,361 for secondary school places, £60,000 for bus stop upgrades, and £38,245 for carbon offsetting.
The development will also feature public open spaces, communal gardens, and play areas.
Bellway plans to retain existing trees where possible and introduce new planting as part of a wider landscaping plan.
Mr Weston-Smith said: “The Comptons will bring other tangible benefits for the local community as it will provide new public spaces where residents new and old alike can meet and socialise outdoors.
“The site will feature communal gardens and play space and will incorporate a landscaping programme allowing the retention of some existing trees and new planting.”
The company said has also taken steps to prioritise biodiversity on the site.
Working with nature restoration company Nattergal, Bellway relocated slow worms found on the land to Harold’s Park Wildland, a rewilding site in Essex.
The Comptons will occupy the site of the former Long-Term Condition Centre at Harold Wood Hospital.
As part of the scheme, Bellway will provide 23 parking spaces for the neighbouring NHS Harold Wood Polyclinic.
The wider former hospital site is already home to the Kings Park residential neighbourhood.
Outline planning permission for 810 homes at Kings Park was granted in 2010.
The Comptons is among the final parcels of the hospital land to be redeveloped.
The 74 private homes at The Comptons will include a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, alongside three and four-bedroom houses.
The 22 ‘affordable’ homes will consist of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments available through low-cost rent schemes.
