Romford Councillor Calls On Developers To Play Their Part In Ensuring Havering Has The Infrastructure It Needs.

In an open letter to developers, Councillor David Taylor has called on developers to play their part in ensuring Havering has the infrastructure and community facilities needed. 

Councillor Taylor’s letter follows the Council’s decision to close three of Havering’s branch libraries. A decision Councillor Taylor has previously called “A betrayal”.

In his letter, Councillor Taylor states that “[Developers] can play a role, in supporting our community”. 

Councillor Taylor goes on to reference that developers need to work with the community in deciding what to provide, suggesting that developers looking to build in Romford need to focus on youth centres and spaces for the voluntary sector. 

Councillor Taylor told the Havering Daily:

“Developers are crawling all over Romford and London, putting up thousands of homes. It is time we benefit from that, with the community having their say in what is provided. 

Many developers will offer things like a community garden as part of their social value contribution, or work with the community. That’s lovely, but I don’t know it’s what we need. 

Romford has some of London’s highest youth crime rates and our young people have nowhere to go. Instead of building yet more empty shops, or community gardens, I want developers to focus on our needs. 

Following the terrible decision to close the libraries, we must also ask developers to look at whether they can help fill the gaps created.”

Councillor Taylor continued:

“I’m bored of hearing about cuts cuts cuts, whilst at the same time hearing about new tower blocks and dozens of new empty shops. As a council, we need to get a grip on these proposals and ensure they give Romford and Havering what it actually needs. 

I have previously outlined how development in this way, such as the Shenfield library, can ensure we keep community facilties open. I hope the administration will take my ideas on board and make it happen”. 

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