Havering Council’s strategic planning committee is expected to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of the Farnham and Hilldene estate at a meeting next Thursday (November 13).
The scheme involves the demolition of all the existing buildings along the Farnham Road, Chippenham Road and Hilldene Avenue parades – except Harold Hill Library – to make way for up to 481 new homes.
Also included in the proposals are new retail, takeaway and community spaces, as well as a replacement pub for The Alderman – which is set to be bulldozed under the Chippenham Road plans.
Residents who have been rehomed to make way for the redevelopment will have the right to return once the new homes are available.
In a report published ahead of the meeting, planning officer Richard Byrne concluded that the redevelopment will “positively add to the council’s housing delivery targets” and feature a “modern contemporary design”.
Mr Byrne added that some elements of the proposals are “not, in isolation, supported by the policy framework”, but the “significant economic and regeneration benefits” of the scheme mean that it is “acceptable” on balance.
READ MORE: Three Havering development proposals you should know about
The application’s approval would mark another step forward for the Harold Hill town centre regeneration scheme.
It is a joint venture between Havering Council and developer Wates Residential, and forms part of their £1.2 billion 12 Estates Project, which aims to build more than 3,900 homes in total.
The Harold Hill scheme has been split into three phases: the Family Welcome Centre, Chippenham Road, and the Farnham and Hilldene estate.
The family welcome centre – set to offer emergency accommodation for families in need – is scheduled to open in spring next year, while demolition work has recently finished at the Chippenham Road site.
Previous council reports have revealed that the aim is for the Farnham and Hilldene site to be complete by December 2033.
