A draft plan to rejuvenate Romford has been approved by councillors after seven years of development.

Havering Council’s cabinet green lit the draft Romford Masterplan at a meeting on September 18.

The 20-year scheme aims to revitalise the town centre by boosting its economy and retail sector, with a particular focus on improving the high street, attracting businesses from both Essex and London, and fostering a “safe and attractive” night-time economy.

The council hopes to have it in place by the end of the year.

Graham Williamson, cabinet member for regeneration, called it a “blueprint for sustainable growth that respects our rich heritage while paving the way for a dynamic future”.

He said: “Together, we will shape a Romford that thrives economically, socially, and culturally for generations to come.”

The plan also includes proposals to partly turn the market into a space for events, redevelop ‘underutilised’ sites such as car parks, improve safety in the centre, and renaturalise the River Rom.

Council leader Ray Morgon said the masterplan could bring in a “greater variety” of shops, cafes, restaurants and leisure venues.

A six-week public consultation will be launched in late September, the council says, and residents will be able to share their views on its ambitions for the area.

The cancellation of the Sunday market earlier this year proved a major upset with traders. Cllr Morgon said the cash-strapped authority could not keep up with the £200,000 cost, but stressed how the masterplan would improve the whole area.

One of the more controversial proposals has been to rework the ring road, transforming it into an “urban boulevard” to better integrate the centre and local neighbourhoods.

The council argues it “severs” Romford from the suburbs, but critics wanted it removed from the scheme.

Once fully approved, the Romford Masterplan will be used alongside the Havering Local Plan, adopted in 2021, which guides wider development and regeneration projects across the borough.

The long-delayed scheme was first commissioned in 2017, under the borough’s Conservative administration. Former leader Damian White said the setback was due to the equally-delayed Local Plan.