Proposals for Waterloo and Queen Street have been approved
The plans, approved by Havering Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, at Waterloo and Queen Street include over 550 affordable homes for local residents.
This means the number of council rented homes currently on the site would be more than doubled and in addition, providing 146 low-cost homeownership opportunities.
Homes are a mixture of 1, 2, 3, and 4 bedroom properties.
At the centre of the scheme is a public open space, with a village garden, 159 trees, bat and bird boxes, bug hotels, and all buildings will have green and brown roofs.
Proposals form part of Havering Council’s ’12 Estates’ regeneration programme with Joint Venture partners, Wates Residential.
The £1.5 billion programme will see at least 3,500 new homes delivered in Havering over the next 12 to 15 years.
Cabinet Member for Finance and Property, Councillor Roger Ramsey said: “The approval of these plans is a major milestone in delivering local homes for local people.
“Waterloo and Queen Street sits in the heart of Romford, where a new high-quality community will be created for residents of Havering to live and thrive.
“What’s more, this scheme will result in significant social, economic and environmental benefits to the surrounding area, with millions of pounds being invested in buying British through local businesses to create new opportunities for people in the area”.
Regional Development Director for Wates Residential, Hugh Jeffery said: “The vote to approve the proposals for Waterloo and Queen Street means we can look forward to building great places for people to live.
“This scheme includes modern, energy-efficient homes, open green spaces for playing and relaxing, and workspaces to promote flexible ways of living and working.
“This project is about leaving a lasting legacy for people in Havering and now the scheme is one step closer we look forward to starting construction at the beginning of next year”.
Wates Residential is part of privately-owned construction, property services and development company, the Wates Group, alongside Havering Council has made a commitment to buy British wherever possible, with 20 per cent of the Joint Venture’s spend going to local Small and Medium Enterprises, valued at £100m.
The Joint Venture partners are also working to increase education, skills and training opportunities in Havering by working with local schools and colleges.
Since its inception in 2018, the Havering and Wates Joint Venture has secured planning on both Napier and New Plymouth House in Rainham and Solar Serena Sunrise in Hornchurch.
Construction of Napier and New Plymouth House is underway with the first homes ready for occupation in 2022.
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