A Grade II-listed pub in Romford town centre has had its plans for a new outdoor seating area refused.

The Lamb, in Market Place, submitted a planning application in August to demolish its current outbuilding and replace it with a covered outdoor seating area.

However, Havering Council refused these plans on Monday (October 14), concluding they would "harm" the "special architectural interest of the listed building".

The Greene King pub - which dates back centuries according to Havering Libraries - had also hoped to remove part of the bar inside and replace the timber floor underneath as part of the proposals.

It was this part of the application that was one of the main reasons for refusal.

The planning officer concluded that removing part of the bar would cause "significant loss of historic fabric" and the "dilution of the building's architectural interest".

The planning officer's report said: "The removal of a large portion of the bar is not supported.

"The existing bar appears to have some historic interest, if not original to the building, and features some attractive detailing.

"Therefore, this aspect of the proposal is considered harmful to the significance of the listed building."

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The demolition of the outbuilding at the back of The Lamb and the new decked seating area were considered "acceptable".

But a plastic roof proposed to cover the seating area was described by the council as "unsympathetic material".

The planning officer's report said: "Considering the significance of the building as a Grade II listed building within a conservation area, a better quality traditional material should be used for the roof."

This is one of several plans submitted by The Lamb as part of a proposed refurbishment.

The listed pub also hopes to repaint the front and back of the building (L0008.24), as well as replacing five signs, four brass lanterns and four floodlights (A0036.24).

Both of these applications remain undecided, with the date Havering Council are expected to make a decision pushed back until October 22.