Family Welcome Centre to be built on the site of the former Abercrombie Hostel alongside 140 new homes.

The U-shaped building will be used to house up to 74 families, who are currently being put up in hostels.

Local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann today reports on the plans for 140 new homes in Havering.

Plans for almost 140 new homes in Havering have been submitted as part of a wide-ranging regeneration scheme.

The 138 ‘affordable’ homes will form the second phase of Havering Council’s plan to revitalise Harold Hill.

The new Chippenham Road estate will comprise 55 one-bedroom flats, 61 two-bedrooms, 20 three-bedrooms, and two four-bedrooms.

Affordable homes are aimed at people who would struggle to buy a house on the open market.

Examples include shared ownership, where the tenant buys a share of the house and rents the rest, and intermediate rent, which are leased out at 80% of the market value.

The council says the homes are “much needed”, as the borough finds itself in the middle of a housing shortage.

The demand for housing in Havering “significantly exceeds” the amount available, the council previously said. Earlier this year, the town hall approved a scheme to begin buying homes to use as social housing.

The scheme was initially meant to comprise 155 new homes, but those numbers fell due to a rise in costs.

It was developed alongside homebuilder Wates Residential, which is working with the town hall across twelve regeneration schemes.

Hugh Jeffery, Wates’ regional development director, said it was a “landmark regeneration project”.

Graham Williamson, the cabinet member for regeneration, described the application as a “significant milestone”.

A decision on the plans is expected to be made later this year.

According to the council’s own timeline, contractors will demolish the vacant buildings in 2025 and begin work on the 138 new homes in winter. The first residents are expected to move in around mid-2026, subject to planning permission.

Residents raised concerns earlier this year over vandalism and antisocial behaviour at the site.

Phase one of the scheme involved the development of a new ‘family welcome centre’ on the site of the former Abercrombie Hostel.

The U-shaped building will be used to house up to 74 families, who are currently being put up in hostels.

Temporary accommodation is one of the biggest drains on the council’s finances, and councillors are desperate to cut costs and balance a £32.5million budget deficit.

Planning permission was granted in July 2022 and construction is now underway, ahead of a 2026 opening.

The third and final phase of the regeneration plan covers Farnham and Hilldene estates. The council says it wants to “revitalise the heart of the town into a family-friendly, safe, and sustainable place for local businesses, shoppers, visitors, and residents”.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.