Loudspeaker Questions and Traffic Chaos Fears as New Romford Mosque Plans Scrutinised.

Plans for a new Havering Islamic Community Centre in Romford are being closely examined by councillors amid growing public concern over traffic impact, location and whether a loudspeaker would be used for call to prayer.

At a recent Strategic Planning Committee meeting, councillors reviewed early proposals for the partial demolition of existing buildings and the redevelopment of the site to create a new Islamic Community Centre. Members were told the scheme remains at a pre application stage and is not finalised, with further changes expected before any formal planning application is submitted. Questions were raised at the outset about the height of the proposed minaret and whether the call to prayer would be broadcast audibly, with councillors requesting clear assurances on noise and potential impact on nearby residents.

The proposals have already been the subject of four pre application meetings since September and have been shaped by feedback from Havering Council officers and the Quality Review Panel. However, concerns from residents remain strong, particularly around the planned location. Local people have openly voiced objections, citing fears that the development would attract significant traffic into an already congested area. Wider community opposition has centred on the suitability of the site itself, with residents questioning whether the surrounding road network and public transport infrastructure can cope with increased demand.

With the Committee’s agreement, local Councillors addressed the meeting, raising a number of concerns and seeking clarification on key aspects of the scheme. Councillors stated the current design does not provide a distinctive or welcoming entrance, noting that the proposed entrance is positioned at the rear of the building. They warned this could make the entrance less visible and potentially unsafe due to loitering, and suggested relocating it to improve visibility and security.

Councillors also also highlighted the poor condition of the River Rom, pointing to pollution and graffiti and asking what improvements were planned as part of the development as they questioned the internal layout of the building, particularly the washing facilities, noting that plans show three main washing areas for men but only one smaller area for women. They asked for the reasoning behind this arrangement and suggested additional provision should be considered.

Further questions were raised about who had been involved in shaping the proposals and whether consultation had extended beyond mosque representatives to include the wider local community. Councillors stressed that while the Havering Islamic Cultural Centre does require a new home, the final design and location must meet all planning requirements and be developed collaboratively to ensure it creates a genuinely welcoming environment.

Committee members outlined a wide range of matters that must be addressed before any planning application is submitted. These include projected attendance figures and comparisons with similar facilities, peak attendance times and how arrivals and departures would be managed to avoid congestion, and whether the facility is intended primarily for the local community or a wider catchment area.

Traffic and transport issues were described as critical. Members called for a detailed Travel Plan to reduce car dependency, an assessment of local bus capacity, a full traffic management scheme, safe drop off arrangements with marshals, evidence that stopping vehicles would not create hazards, and a parking capacity assessment at Church Rise.

Design and heritage considerations were also discussed. Councillors welcomed the retention of parts of the existing building and heritage features such as the coloured mosaic, but raised concerns about the appearance of the rear elevation and the overall visual impact of the scheme. Suggestions included replacing lost trees with robust alternatives, considering green roofs or living walls, and using visually appealing security measures rather than standard fencing.

Environmental and operational issues were also highlighted. Members requested confirmation on whether loudspeakers would be installed on the minaret and how noise would be controlled to avoid disturbance to nearby homes. They also asked for noise attenuation measures, early inclusion of extraction systems for cooking fumes, and clear waste storage and collection arrangements.

Questions were raised about internal layout and accessibility, including whether there is adequate space for women and appropriate provision for disabled users, as well as parity in the size and quality of facilities.

Members also encouraged improvements to the wider public realm beyond the site itself, including better wayfinding and signage.

The Committee agreed that traffic and pedestrian safety issues require further discussion before any planning application is submitted and recommended an additional pre application meeting focused specifically on transport and access. Councillors were asked to submit any further comments to the Head of Strategic Planning within a week of the meeting.

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