Police called to town hall as 200 protest over planning bid

20 November 2009

Protesters outside town hall

POLICE were called after a massive protest descended on a Havering Council meeting to decide the fate of a controversial housing development.

More than 200 residents waved placards and barracked councillors in a bid to stop plans to build 874 homes - including a nine storey tower block - on the former Harold Wood Hospital site.

Panicked officials summoned the police fearing the crowd, which gathered outside Romford Town Hall for Thursday night's (November 12) planning meeting, might run riot if the Regulatory Services Committee committee's decision went against them.

But the enormous and good natured show of public opposition convinced Havering council to shelve construction plans.

Objectors warned Countryside Property's project would overwhelm health, education and transport infrastructure and "destroy the community".

The committee deferred granting permission until new proposals were submitted which took into account residents concerns.

Harold Wood Residents Association member Brian Eagling said: "This is a victory - but not the end of our fight.

"A development of this size would be very bad news for this area. The roads are jammed, GP waiting lists enormous and schools oversubscribed already. If this got the go ahead, it would be a hundred times worse.

"We understand the need for houses, but not this many. The developers want to build 70 per-cent one and two bedroom flats. This is a family community. Where are the family homes. This would just destroy the community."

In April 2006 planners turned down an application to build nearly 50 units per hectare. The latest application dwarfs that at 68.

Council planning chiefs had recommended the 12 hectare site - west of Gubbins Lane, which was sold by Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS Trust in 2007 - as suitable for much needed housing.

Under the plans, the developers would pay up to £6.3 education contribution for local schools and help fund a new medical clinic to take the strain from the influx of people.

Countryside Property insists the impact of the development would be minimal and residents fears had been listen to.

Committee Vice Chairman conservative councillor Barry Tebbutt told a packed chamber: "There are a number of thing which concern me about these plans. The nine storey building would be obtrusive and out of character with the surroundings."

Council officials said they would work with the developers to modify the proposals.

Countryside Property director Martin Leach said: "We have a number of options available including appealing this decision or resubmitting the plans with alterations. We'll be considering all options".