Nine Storey Tower Block To Be Built On Como Street In Romford, But How Many Will Be ‘Affordable?’

Havering Council has not yet confirmed how many homes in a proposed tower block will be ‘affordable’ writes local democracy reporter Sebastian Mann.

The town hall is looking to build a nine-storey tower in the Como Street car park, which it says is underused.

The borough is facing a significant housing shortage, as many in London are, and councillors believe the 138 new homes will help alleviate these pressures.

However, councillors were unable to say how many homes would be available under the ‘affordable housing’ scheme.

Affordable housing is aimed at people on low incomes who are unable to afford a home on the private market. One type is social rent, which is tied to the tenant’s income, while rent-to-buy offers reduced rent, typically 20% below market, to help tenants save for a deposit while living in the property.

The aim is for around 35% of all new housing to be classed as affordable, in developments larger than ten homes.

At a meeting last week, Councillor Graham Williamson, cabinet member for regeneration, said Mercury Land Holding’s application was “currently under review”. The homebuilder is owned by Havering Council, but operates at an arm’s length.

He added: “The number of affordable homes will be decided on in discussion with the local planning authority and will be dependent on the viability assessment.”

Conservative councillor David Taylor said the home-builder should prioritise social rent over the other types during the meeting.

Cllr Williamson said the issue was that “all affordable housing is related to viability”.

He said: “If you don’t have the income, you don’t get it.”

“As you’ll know, hardly any private developers ever deliver the 35% affordable homes,” he added.

Como Street is among six car parks earmarked by the town hall for new housing, all of which the council says are not busy enough to keep open.

The plans have proven controversial among residents, who showed up in force in January to protest the scheme.

Around 30 locals protested the scheme outside the town hall, with Cllr Taylor telling a scrutiny committee the plans were “just not suitable” for the area.

Residents say their new neighbours will be able to look “straight into” their homes and have pushed for the council to consider smaller, two-storey family homes.

A formal decision is yet to be made on the new homes.

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