A proposal to replace a historic pub with a restaurant has been refused, with Havering Council branding the scheme "visually intrusive".

The Durham Arms in Brentwood Road, Romford, which dates back to the 19th century, was the subject of plans to convert the premises into a restaurant with an extractor system and flue.

A planning application was refused by Havering Council on June 28.

Applicant Iftakhar Ahmed had his plans received by the council on February 8 this year, validated five days later. The application was supported by Cityscape Planning & Architecture.

But the council refused the proposal and stated it would result in the loss of a public house and community facility.

"There is insufficient marketing evidence to clearly demonstrate that the existing public house is not viable.

"The proposal would result in the loss of a public house and a community facility," it stated under reasons for refusal.

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The Durham Arms has been shut since 2019 and in 2023 a fire broke out on the building's top floor, damaging part of a flat.

A heritage statement from Cityscape argued that a restaurant would improve the area.

"In its disused condition, the public house has unfortunately attracted anti-social behaviour that the proposal seeks to remedy.

"[This would be] in the form of a welcoming restaurant for families and the community at large," the agent added.

Cityscape also said the proposed 73-seater restaurant would provide a "high-end experience for patrons" and not be a fast food joint.

But the council identified prominent issues with the plans, including the extractor and flue system.

"[The system would] by reason of its scale, bulk and prominent siting, be a significant addition on the rear elevation of the building.

"[It would] appear dominant, visually intrusive and as incongruous paraphernalia in the street scene," it added.

The council stated that views on nearby Albert Road would be affected and the proposal would go against the "architectural interest" of the pub.

Unneighbourly and noisy were terms used to describe the car park plans from doors slamming and vehicles entering to the west of the site, the council added.