ROMFORD CONSERVATION AREA

ROMFORD CONSERVATION AREA
An excellent scholarly restoration of the Woolpack pub building (more recently "Secrets" nightclub) in the High Street has been approved. An application has been received for a high-quality conservation based restoration of the façade of one of the Victorian shops in the High Street almost opposite this. The owners of Quadrant Arcade have appealed to the National Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s refusal of their recent planning application. This was refused on the grounds of negative visual impact on Romford Conservation Area among other factors. A change of use from a bank to a restaurant has been granted for the Lloyds Bank building at the junction of the Market and North Street. This application does not affect the visual appearance of the building. A further application will need to be made to convert the building to its new use, and at that stage the Council will pay close attention to maintaining the fabric and fittings of the building. Should the applicants want seating outside then they will need to apply for planning permission. An application has been made to restore the façade of the Post Office building in South Street (currently Brannigans night club) to its original appearance. At the time of writing the quality and veracity of this restoration had not been assessed by the Council as part of the planning process.
 An application to redevelop the façade of the former Littlewoods shop facing onto the Market was altered by the applicants so that it accorded with conservation advice. We have brought our concern at the length of time that the banners have been hanging on the Golden Lion to the attention of the Council. The Council has been successful in gaining funding from Transport for London to make the street environment in Romford Conservation Area more sympathetic to the historic significance of the place.

MAIN ROAD
The tree on the pavement at the Romford end of Main Road has been replaced by the Council, after the old tree became diseased. We asked for an application for a Children’s day Nursery in the Eagle Lodge building at the junction of Erroll Road and Main Road to be considered by the Council’s Regulatory Services Committee after residents raised concerns about it on a number of grounds. The application was approved by the Committee.
GILBERT ROAD/ KINGSTON ROAD
The nursing home at the junction of these two roads has appealed to the National Planning Inspectorate against the Council’s refusal of their recent planning application to increase the size of the home.

North Street

NORTH STREET
Work is to be carried out to seek to improve traffic flow and the environment in North Street, including examining the feasibility of a longer dedicated left turn slip from North Street onto the Eastern Avenue, which may reduce north-bound queuing. This work too is being funded by the organisation "Transport for London". Please contact us if you would appreciate further information. We have highlighted some water drainage issues which residents are facing in the part of North Street inside the Ring Road to the relevant authorities.

SOUTH STREET
We have supported residents in objecting to a further application for a licence to sell alcohol and in objecting to a proposal to increase the height of the flats above the shops at the end of Regarth Avenue. We understand that the applicants have withdrawn this latter application. We have raised concerns about heavy goods vehicle traffic in South Street on behalf of residents. Footpath improvements near Arcade Place and the junction with Western Road are to be funded by the organisation Transport for London, as are footpath widening and improvements near the station at Havana Close/ the Battis near the station. Further works to improve pavements and the street scene between Havana Close and the junction of Western Road and South Street, also funded by Transport for London, are to be carried out later in the year. Many thanks to residents near the Nat West bank for contacting us about excessive noise made during recent works on the building. We made the bank aware of the anti-social nature of this noise.

WOODFIELD DRIVE
The Council has sought to compulsory purchase the derelict house in the road. The owner of the property has objected to this and a Public Inquiry into the matter has had to be held. Further progress is dependent on the Inspector finding in favour of the Council at the Inquiry.
OAKLANDS AVENUE
The Council has rejected an application for police only on-street parking. Parking meter bays are to be converted to public pay and display.
LONDON ROAD
We have asked if the state of the pavement in the vicinity of Kwik-Fit could be improved, and have raised concerns about what seems to be encroachment of items for sale from a commercial property onto the pavement.
ST. ANDREW’S ROAD
Some repairs to the pavements have been carried out.
THOMAS ENGLAND HOUSE
We have asked whether some repairs might be possible to the planters outside these flats in Waterloo Gardens.

FORMER OLDCHURCH HOSPITAL SITE
The Council has refused an application from the developers to increase the height of some of the flats to be built at this site.
SHAFTESBURY ROAD
The "School Keep Clear" markings are to be removed and a "No waiting at any time" restriction introduced once the development of the former Manor School site has been completed
KINGS ROAD
Many thanks to the Council for replacing one of the street trees near St. Alban’s Church, as promised.
FORMER EDWIN LAMBERT SCHOOL SITE
Subject to legal agreements, three bedroom houses, car parking and garages will be constructed on this site.

OLYMPICS/PARALYMPICS
The Olympic Torch will be passing through Havering on Sunday 22nd July with plenty of opportunities for residents to see it. Details of the precise route will be announced by the Olympic authorities closer to the date. The Council has worked with all schools in the borough, and 96% of state schools in Havering have signed up for free tickets to the Olympics for some of their pupils. The Council will be providing information to ensure that residents of all ages are able to pursue sports they become interested in as a result of the Games. There will be an exhibition on the history of sport in Havering at Havering Museum. There will be a Shakespeare Festival in Havering to mark the Games. Havering 2012 Culture Calendar with new activities which people can try on every day in 2012 can be seen on www.havering.gov.uk/2012 or a copy of highlights can be picked up from any Havering library or Havering Museum. The Council has worked with local businesses to ensure they benefit from Olympics/ Paralympics contracts. So far local businesses have been awarded 36 contracts worth £13.2 million.