‘We want homes, not hutches’-Residents launch campaign group against Council Como Street Car Park development supported by Romford MP and local Councillors.

‘We are supporting local people in fighting against these poorly thought through plans by Havering Council’-Andrew Rosindell MP.

Residents of Lower Mawneys, supported by four Romford councillors and MP Andrew Rosindell, met on Friday 26 January to launch a campaign group against a council development on Como Street Car Park.

Havering Council, through their property developer Mercury Land Holdings, has revealed plans to construct a 12 storey tower-block on the Como Street Car park. The block will be part of a redevelopment that will also see retail and lower blocks also on the site. 

Mercury Land Holdings receives funding from Havering Council in the form of loans, with Havering then taking a loan from government. This setup has previously come under scrutiny from Councillors, who have questioned whether this increases the cost of the build. 

The Como Street proposal has been controversial since the start, with Councillor David Taylor raising concerns about the consultation process and calling on the council to re-run the consultation. Over 500 residents signed a petition, which was rejected by the administration. 

Around 30 residents met at the Mawney Arms on Friday 26 January, at a meeting organised by Andrew Rosindell MP, Councillor David Taylor, Councillor Nisha Patel, Councillor Viddy Persaud and Cllr Tim Ryan.  

During the meeting, St Edwards Ward Councillor David Taylor said;

“Residents feel that they have been ignored throughout the consultation so far and an action group is the only way we’ll be heard. 

The proposal, for a 12 storey tower-block, is not suitable for the area. Lower Mawneys is characterised by historic Victorian homes with gardens. We need homes in Havering, but they must be the right homes in the right place. 

By being the first tower-block to be constructed outside the ring-road, the development will set a precedent and change the character of Lower Mawneys permanently. Other developers will copy the council’s actions.

This development is being proposed by Havering Council, as opposed to a faceless developer. The council can and must listen to the residents. We hope to secure a meeting with council Officers and Cabinet Members in due course.

We want homes, not hutches. This tower block will not be built.”.

Romford MP Andrew Rosindell who organised the meeting and chaired it, said: “We are supporting local people in fighting against these poorly thought through plans by Havering Council.”

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