A proposed new primary school in Romford has moved a step closer to meet the demands of two earmarked housing developments in the area.

Havering Council’s strategic planning committee gave outline permission for the school on Thursday (December 7).

It will straddle the site of The Seedbed Centre in Davidson Way and the south-east corner of the Homebase car park.

A report said: "The presence of the proposed school would not necessarily effect the retail store itself."

A separate outline application for the redevelopment of the centre and Rom Valley Retail Park for 840 homes was given the green light at the same meeting.

The two-form entry school will have up to four storeys and include teaching space, resource areas, halls, dining, PE staff and storage areas.

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The meeting heard its construction is however subject to two developments going forward in the area - the one at The Seedbed Centre and another at the Homebase site.

A planning officer claimed during the meeting that the demand for the school will only be met if both these projects go forward.

If the Homebase development does not then the school will not be built, they said.

In such a case, the meeting was told Rom Valley LLP - the applicant behind the Seedbed Centre redevelopment - will instead make a financial contribution for education provision.

Historic England raised that the school scheme could harm archaeological remains on the site.

Havering’s education department felt that the application is not clear regarding what condition the school site will be in when it is handed over to the council for construction.

It also said that the space earmarked for the school needs to meet the Department for Education’s space standards for primary schools.

The application was recommended for approval by planning officers, who said "it would not have an unreasonable impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties".

It was approved unanimously at the meeting with all members of the committee voting in favour.

Detailed planning documents for the school can be found on the council's website- https://development.havering.gov.uk/OcellaWeb/planningDetails?reference=P2071.22&from=planningSearch  .