Plans have been submitted for a major new development in Harold Hill, made up of 138 'affordable' homes.

Development company Wates, in partnership with Havering Council, has proposed the redevelopment of the site in between Chippenham Road, Kings Lynn Drive and Dartfields to make way for four new flat blocks.

Two blocks will sit either side of the current St George's Church, the Vicarage and Harold Wood Funeral Services, which will remain unaffected by the planning application.

The plans are part of a wider regeneration of Harold Hill town centre.

The council says on its website that it expected to submit plans for around 478 homes in the Farnham and Hilldene areas this summer.

The demolition of The Alderman pub, in Chippenham Road, was put forward under a separate application in August 2023, but the plans are still undecided.

The Abercrombie House hostel has also been bulldozed, with work starting on a new Family Welcome Centre earlier this year.

In a consultation document on its wider regeneration of Harold Hill, the council says its "ambitious" plans will transform the town centre "into a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable hub for everyone".

Other buildings earmarked for demolition to make way for the 138 homes include empty council properties.

The Recorder reported allegations in May that these had previously been subject to vandalism and break-ins.

The proposed new development is part of Havering Council and Wates' joint 12 Sites Project, which initially aimed to regenerate 12 council estates over 12 years to provide up to 5,000 new homes in the borough.

However, in February 2023 - nearly five years after it started - the Recorder reported that half of the regeneration schemes in the project were being reviewed due to a "sharp rise" in costs.

This meant that the overall number of homes set to be built dropped - with the council website now mentioning a figure of more than 3,500.

The number of homes set to be built for this particular development changed over the course of the pre-application meetings, falling from 155 to 138.

A CGI of how the community garden and courtyard area could look in the new developmentA CGI of how the community garden and courtyard area could look in the new development (Image: Havering and Wates Regeneration LLP)

Planning documents reveal that this is broken down into 55 one-bedroom homes, 61 two-bedroom homes, 20 three-bedroom homes and two four-bedroom homes.

The planning statement also states that some of the development will be set aside for care leavers' accommodation, providing young people transitioning out of the care system in Havering with a "supportive environment" - including enhanced security and carers on site 24/7.

READ MORE: Havering Council: 175 Hornchurch homes for over-55s finished

Changes were also made to the layout and height of the residential blocks over the pre-application period, with public consultations held throughout the second half of 2023, as well as discussions with groups such as Harold Hill Deer Aid.

The result is that the proposed flat blocks are arranged to have cut-out space for courtyards with play areas for children, and a community garden.

The proposals were validated on September 10, and Havering Council is expected to make a decision by December 10.

If approved, the council says on its website that it expects work to begin in winter 2025 and to be completed in winter 2026.