Proposals have been put forward to demolish the former department store in Market Place and replace it with more than 150 homes, a hotel and shops.
Although the scheme is still at an early stage, developers Claridge Architects and Yaelwood Ltd have already held two public consultation events – and aim to submit a formal planning application by Christmas.
At one of the drop-in events on Friday (October 24), Romford people told the Recorder they thought the initial proposals were “positive for the area” and a “good idea”.
A big draw for some is the proposed widening of Swan Walk to make way for “Swan Place”, intended as a retail and food and drink destination where diners can sit outside in the evenings.
Linda Ryder, who lives near Market Place with her husband Reg, said: “It [the former Debenhams] needs something doing to it.
“I’m looking forward to thing opening and being alive after 5pm.
“That’s what we need – something to bring people in.”
The plans include one block flats designated as council housing specifically for families, which Reg called a “really good idea”.
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But while another Romford resident Valerie Barker agreed the proposals could be “positive for the area”, she also worried that more housing could stretch local infrastructure even further.
“I have great concerns on the impact on services, like Queen’s Hospital is already completely snowed under,” Valerie told the Recorder.
“Because obviously you’re going to be bringing a lot of people into the area, into the housing.
“If we start to address the social housing, it needs to be that bigger picture in my opinion.”
Another resident, Gill Dodson, warned there is already “no parking anymore” in the town, and asked where visitors staying at the hotel would park.
But she liked the scheme in principle, saying: “The idea is fantastic – it looks amazing.”
Cllr Graham Williamson, Havering Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, also attended the consultation, saying is “pleased” the “eyesore” Debenhams building could “finally” be redeveloped.
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Cllr Williamson said: “There’s lots of good proposals with this scheme.
“Obviously the devil’s in the detail and we haven’t got the detail as yet, but first blush, it looks promising.
“It will be looked at by officers, of course, and eventually it will come to strategic planning to make a decision.
“So I can say no more than that, but I’m very pleased that the Debenham site will finally, or potentially anyway, be unleashed again to the public in a nice way, rather than the mess that it is at the moment.”
The Recorder has been unable to contact the manager of Factory Outlet – the store currently open on the ground floor of the building – for a comment on the scheme.
