A major development for almost 1,000 homes on the site of a former ice rink in Romford has been given a boost after City Hall approved the scheme.

The hybrid application was sent to Havering Council on behalf of Impact Developments in March 2021 for a total of up to 972 homes across seven blocks on land in Rom Valley Way.

A full application for 146 homes in one block has been given the green light by City Hall, the council said, as has outline plans for the preparation of the site for up to another 826 homes.

It comes after the council's strategic planning committee gave their approval to the proposals last year.

The approval is subject to 88 planning conditions.

The seven blocks proposed (Blocks A to G) are earmarked to range in height between two and 12 storeys.

The first phase of 146 homes also includes a retail/restaurant unit, a medical or neighbourhood centre, an energy centre and parking spaces.

Of the further 826 homes, up to 223 would be later living/extra care/residential units.

As well as six other blocks, the outline plans also include a medical/hospital facility, flexible retail and café space, gym facilities for residents and NHS staff, an energy centre, associated landscaping and parking spaces.

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No development work can begin for the second phase unless details of the appearance, landscaping, layout, scale and access for the six blocks have been sent and approved by the council within five years of this permission.

The homes in the first phase will be composed of 70 one-bedroom, 68 two-bedroom and 8 three-bedroom units.

A site-wide car and cycle parking management plan is required to be submitted by the applicant, including provision for disabled parking bays and electric vehicle charging points.

A decision notice attached with the approval further stated that at least 10 per cent of the total number of homes shall be adaptable for residents who are wheelchair users.

No residential units, it said, shall be occupied until full details of communal amenity spaces, including a children’s play area, has been sent to and accepted by the council.

It added that “no above ground works” can take place until a “bats and nesting birds method statement” is consented to by the council, along with a “biodiversity enhancement strategy” for protected species.

A full list of all the planning conditions along with other planning documents can be found on the council’s website: https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=P0615.21&from=planningSearch