Mawney Road, Romford restaurant plans anger neighbours again

A planning application was submitted by Avinash Tiwari earlier this month only weeks after similar initial plans were withdrawn.

According to an odour impact assessment document, the property at 121 Mawney Road “wishes to operate as an Asian takeaway (Indian food etc)”.

Residents of Mawney Road and Oak Street have again rallied together, starting a petition and expressing their worries as they did when the initial plans were submitted.

Anna Agus lives in Oak Street and said her primary issue is with the lack of parking space for potential customers.

An application was resubmitted earlier this month only weeks after an initial one had been withdrawn (Image: Nat Nollid) She said: “I don’t want to stop anyone from doing any business because business would be good round here.

“Where would people park though? This is a main road – it’s not just restaurant guests but staff as well.”

Richard and Gillian Beard also live in Oak Street and shared similar worries.

“It’s hard to park here as it is,” said Gillian.

“We could have all their rubbish and noise, door slamming, anti-social behaviour.

L-R: Gillian Beard, Peter Claxton, Cllr Tim Ryan and Richard Beard have worries about the development (Image: Nat Nollid) “When we had wind the other day, all the rubbish was flying out the skip and I had some land in my front garden,” added Richard.

Peter and Anne Claxton, also of Oak Street, previously described the building as “an eyesore” and recently claimed the development to have “ruined the view from our home”.

According to Havering Council’s planning site, a decision is expected to be made on the proposal by May 20.

Councillor Tim Ryan said he could not overly praise nor criticise a development but confirmed he “fully supports” his residents.

He added: “The actual development is overbearing for that area and it is out of character – it is too bulky.

The plans propose an Asian takeaway (Image: Nat Nollid) “The site did need attention and needed building done to it but there are certain buildings that cannot be in that area for the simple fact that it is too small and there is a lack of parking.”

Nat Nollid owns the property next door to the proposed development and is worried about the attraction of rodents.

Residents have expressed concerns (Image: Nat Nollid) “Then there’s the traffic, parking and drainage issues which will be much worse with a takeaway or restaurant in such a busy area with residents having parking issues already.”

In February Mr Tiwari claimed that if the original application was approved, the building would be used as an Indian restaurant but today (April 23) told the Recorder that this may not be the case.

He said: “There are a lot of things involved in the application.

“I am not decisive in opening a restaurant – maybe we will do something else.”

Mr Tiwari wished to make no further comment.

The planning documents still describe the intended use of the building as an “Asian takeaway”.