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Search the Public Notice PortalPlans to demolish and redevelop a former gasworks site in Romford have been deemed to have a "negative impact" on the character of the area.
A planning application for the "demolition, clearance and redevelopment" of Romford Gasworks and depot in Crow Lane was initially submitted in November last year before amendments were made in March this year.
The proposal was made by St William - a subsidiary company of developer Berkeley Group - to provide "employment floorspace" and build a 15-unit warehouse and industrial estate on the derelict gasworks site.
On May 22, Havering Council's planning officers decided to refuse the plans after concluding the scheme would blight the surrounding area and cause traffic issues.
They said: "The proposal would have a negative impact on the character of the existing area."
The 4.3-hectare brownfield site has been derelict since its gasholders were demolished in 2018, and is currently used for temporary car storage.
The proposal would have delivered almost 19,000 square metres of warehouses, industrial and trade units across six buildings, along with 174 car parking spaces.
The council's primary reason for refusal was the design and character of the scheme.
Two of the largest warehouses were described as "relentless and overbearing" running up to 95 metres in length along Nursery Walk - which is "particularly problematic given existing issues of antisocial behaviour and safety" according to the planning officer report.
Concerns around the impact on Crow Lane, which borders the Victorian entrance to Romford Cemetery, were also voiced.
Officers said the development "would appear visually dominant and out of character with the surrounding residential and open space context".
Transport for London and Havering's own highways team both formally objected to the plans, warning the development could generate up to 1,910 daily vehicle movements and 192 heavy goods vehicles trips on roads already "operating at or above capacity".
Officers concluded the supporting transport model was not "robust or validated" and that the council "cannot be satisfied that the development would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety".
Whilst 172 neighbouring properties were notified of the proposal, none raised concerns.
The developer made significant revisions to the plans in March 2026 repositioning buildings, adding bus stops, increasing tree planting and reducing parking provision but the council deemed this still unsatisfactory.
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