Plans To Turn Hornchurch Car Park Into Housing Have Been Approved Despite Objections.

Local Democracy Reporter Sebastian Mann today writes:

Plans to turn a Hornchurch car park into housing are set to be approved, despite more than 40 objections.

The council intends to convert Dorrington Gardens pay-and-display, which it has deemed surplus to the motorists’ needs, into 34 new homes.

The town hall first began looking to convert car parks in 2023 amid a growing shortage of homes. In June 2024, a council report revealed that demand for housing in the borough was “quickly outpacing” supply.

However, neighbours say they could lose their privacy and said Hornchurch’s infrastructure is “overstretched”.

The Dorrington Gardens scheme would be made up of one- and two-bedroom flats, and three-bedroom family homes. The 22 apartments would be spread over two three-storey blocks.

None of the homes will be ‘affordable’ – aimed at low-to-moderate income households – which the council said was “regrettable” but acceptable.

The plans involve the total demolition of everything currently on the site, and the planting of new trees and shrubs. A new cycling and walking route connecting nearby Bruce Avenue to the town centre has also been proposed.

The 188-space car park is one of six in the borough that was earmarked for housing last year.

Plans for six new homes in Keswick Avenue, in Hornchurch, were approved last April – but early proposals for a tower block in Como Street have been met with heavy opposition.

According to applicant Mercury Land Holdings, a property developer wholly owned by Havering Council, just 17 bays in Dorrington Gardens are used each day.

The town hall’s planning department has recommended the scheme for approval, saying it would make a “valuable contribution” to the borough’s housing targets.

A total of 42 objections were formally lodged against the scheme.

Residents living nearby criticised the scheme for the potential strain it could put on local infrastructure and said it would not suit the area.

They said reducing parking spaces could impact local businesses and lead to “unsafe” parking on adjacent side streets.

Council officers argued any overspill would be negligible and the development would encourage residents to move away from driving.

The development not exceeding three storeys means it will not be out of character with the surrounding low-rise homes, the council says.

The town hall also said the plans are modest in scale and that a £77,129 contribution would go towards ‘affordable housing’ off-site.

Havering’s strategic planning committee is expected to rubber-stamp the plans at a meeting next Thursday (8th May).

The nearest council-owned car parks are in Billet Lane, Fentiman Way and Appleton Way.

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