Como Street, Romford car park tower block plans opposed

Havering Council-owned developer Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) has put forward proposals to redevelop Como Street car park into 138 new homes, including three terraced houses and a nine-storey block of flats.

Although MLH has faced backlash since the scheme was first floated, opposition has picked up following the formal submission of the planning application in August.

Como Street Car Park Action Group - whose last meeting was attended by around 60 residents - is calling for the application to be withdrawn, branding the plans "unacceptable".

Ryan Chidwick, one of the group's administration team members, spoke to the Recorder about a number of concerns the residents have over the proposals.

"One of the major issues is that a lot of people lose their privacy," he said.

"So it would be a bit like living in a goldfish tank for some people, unfortunately, because they would just be looked down upon by several families at any one time during the day.

"It would be a shame to see a big massive tower block looming over everyone's gardens.

"We can't see logically how adding another group of families to the area would help things."

Residents meeting in August 2025(Image: Ryan Chidwick)

READ MORE: 'Unused' car parks to be demolished as part of 1,000 home plans in Romford

Ryan added that other infrastructure in Romford, such as GP and dental practices, are "already close to breaking point", and that the loss of a car park could result in people "parking in front of our drives" during the school run.

The consultation period for the plans ended on September 30 - after an initial extension - and the action group estimates that more than 100 objections have been lodged.

The Recorder asked the council for details on the number of representations made, but it would not reveal these figures.

Ryan said that most residents went away from the consultation events "feeling disappointed" - but the group will keep pushing back against the plans ahead of the expected decision date on October 27.

"There's a range of development happening in that sort of space and it's starting to overspill now from the town centre and the ring road," he told this paper.

"The danger is once you start doing that, there'll be no end in sight.

"We will fight this tooth and nail, we won't let this go at all."

The next council strategic planning committee is on October 23, but it is not yet known if the Como Street plans will be reviewed then as the meeting documents have not been published.

What the Como Street development could look like(Image: Havering Council)

The council told this paper it has undertaken a "comprehensive consultation process" on the proposals.

A spokesperson said: "The plans have already been revised, prior to application, to include reduction in the building heights, reflecting the community’s input and council’s willingness to listen to local residents concerns.

"While we cannot comment on the application ahead of a formal decision, we can confirm that all comments received will be reviewed, and the proposal has been assessed in line with all relevant planning legislation.

"It has met all the requirements to submit the application, using reputable experts, and that the statutory consultation process has been fully followed.

"The details for the number of objectors and representations will be in the final report that goes to strategic planning committee."