Residents Say the Site is Not Suitable as Historic Building Could Face Part Demolition for New Large Romford Mosque.

Plans to turn a historic Romford building into a major new mosque have sparked frustration among locals who say the site is the wrong place for such a large development.

Havering Islamic Cultural Centre wants to relocate to 222–226 South Street, the former Page Calnan site, after the Bridge Close regeneration scheme forced the group to seek a new home. The move is being driven by the redevelopment of Bridge Close, which means their existing base can no longer remain there.

The plans involve part-demolition and redevelopment of the South Street site which is a locally listed building, keeping the historic façade but transforming the rest of the building into a modern mosque with expanded worship and community facilities.

Council documents confirm the proposal would keep the frontage but rebuild the rest, creating a substantially larger and more modern complex. That detail alone has sparked anger among residents who feel the historic nature of the building is being stripped back to a shell.

Locals argue the site on one of Romford’s busiest stretches, just yards from bars, homes, shops and the station is completely unsuitable for such a large development. The area already suffers from heavy congestion, limited parking and constant footfall, and many fear the additional traffic and noise will overwhelm the street.

People are also unhappy that a locally-listed historic building will be largely rebuilt, with only the façade surviving. For many, that feels like a loss of character and yet another example of Romford’s heritage being chipped away.

Residents list their main concerns as traffic gridlock, noise, pressure on parking, disruption in an already busy mixed-use area and a belief that the building simply isn’t suited to becoming a major religious and community complex.

With Havering Council still progressing the application through the planning process, locals say they can only hope decision-makers listen to the growing feeling that, despite the need for a new site, this location is simply the wrong one.

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