Havering Characterisation Study

Closed 19 May 2023

Opened 24 Mar 2023

Contact

developmentplanning@havering.gov.uk

Feedback updated 24 Jul 2023

We asked

As part of Havering’s refresh of our Local Plan 2021, Havering Council carried out a consultation between March and May 2023 to ask people around the borough about their views on the characters of the areas where they live, work or study.

Led by Havering Planning team, with input from departments across the Council and an urbanisation practice, we delivered four pop-up events, a community workshop and an online survey to ensure we heard from a wide group of people.

You said

What we learned from 91 responses that were received to the online survey:

Positive feedback from the survey told us that:

  • There were 98 (108%) positive responses about the green spaces and parks in Havering.
  • 74 (81%) were based on transport which included trains, buses and the underground services.
  • 22 (24%) of respondents said that the community is the strength of Havering.
  • 14 (15%) said they valued the heritage and historic buildings of the borough
  • 7 (8%) praised Havering’s amenities and facilities
  • 5 (5%) commended Havering’s sense of safety
  • 3 (3%) said they valued the peace and tranquillity the borough gives

Negative feedback from the survey told us:

  • There were 22 (24%) negative responses about anti-social and safety issues in Havering.
  • 17 (19%) of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the over-development of the borough, including building heights.
  • There were 17 (19%) negative responses about the litter in Havering and a lack of care and maintenance in the borough.
  • 14 (15%) of negative responses were based on issues with transport.
  • 10 (11%) said that the sense of community spirit that was once there is now lost.
  • 7 (8%) addressed issues with inadequate road surfaces in the borough.

What we learned from face-to-face engagement we did with local people:

 

EMERSON PARK

✔

Protect, preserve and improve green spaces in the area.  Protect wildlife.
✔

Protect and preserve historic building with new buildings that reflect these.

✖  

Residents would like better road surfaces and bus services.

HORNCHURCH
✔

Importance of Queens Theatre as an asset in the local community.
✔

Investment in public realm along the High Street.
✔

More spaces for community gatherings and young people.
✖

A concern that the town centre is losing its historic feel.

ELM PARK
✔

Value the convenience of city life with access to the countryside.
✖

Better maintenance of the High Street and green spaces in the town centre.
✖

New street furniture and signage needed.

UPMINSTER
✔

Value the range of shops and accessibility.

✔

Well maintained buildings including positive comments about the refurbishment of the Windmill.
✖

Desire for new green space, improved footpaths and better public realm.

ROMFORD
✔

Accessibility and availability of public transport, shops and services.
✔

Valued the heritage in the town centre but a need for better maintenance and reuse.
✖

A concern about the height of new development.
✖

Improvements to public realm and access to greenery.

COLLIER ROW

✔

Accessibility to the countryside – but some green spaces were highlighted as needing better maintenance.
✖

An improvement to the shop fronts.

GIDEA PARK

✔  

Value the attractive green and low-rise character.
✔

The range of shops and services within a 10-minute walk.

✖  

Lack of cycle infrastructure.

SOUTH HORNCHURCH
✔

Heritage assets are valued with a desire for careful refurbishment.
✔

Happy to see new homes in the area alongside the delivery of new green spaces.

✖ 

Concern about development without associated social infrastructure.

RAINHAM
✔

Access to natural green spaces and parks.

✖ 

A concern about new development changing the character of the area in terms of the scale and type of buildings.

✖ 

Better support for small and independent businesses in the town centre.

BEAM PARK
✖

This was the only neighbourhood that we did not receive any comments about.

HAROLD HILL
✔

Value of network of local green spaces and play spaces.

✖ 

Investment in public realm and planting alongside maintenance.

✖ 

A need for better connections with other parts of the borough, particularly by bus.

HAROLD WOOD
✔

Good quality shops, schools, play spaces and local parks.

✔

A potential to reduce car parking around the shopping parade in order to improve public realm.

✖ 

A desire for better walking and cycling infrastructure.

We did

The survey results are being reviewed and will help us to:

  • Understand the key issues and concerns about each place to help us shape the ideas and opportunities in the Character Study.
  • Understand how local people define the edges and reach of their local area to help us shape the neighbourhood character area plan in the Character Study.
  • Understand what local people value about the identity of their local area to help us shape the characteristics and qualities for future development defined in the Character Study.

Overview

Tell us what you love about your neighbourhood

This Characterisation Study for Havering is part of the refresh for our Local Plan, which was adopted in 2021 and now needs updating, as required by the planning inspectorate. 

In the survey, we will ask you your views on the areas where you live or work.  If you are studying, then also please tell us about the area where you study.

You can find a link to our Local Plan at the bottom of this page, or please click Here 

We have updated this survey with some additional information, but we have not changed the questions.  We have also extended the closing date to 19 May 2023.

Why your views matter

The information you provide in this short survey will help us to understand what contributes to the local character in our borough and how we can shape future development to make sure we continue to protect and strengthen our local communities.

Audiences

  • Residents
  • Developers
  • Planners
  • Drivers
  • Public Transport Users
  • Cyclists
  • Pedestrians
  • Joggers
  • Van and Lorry drivers
  • Teachers
  • Early Years providers
  • Schools-based staff
  • School Governors
  • Parents
  • Guardians
  • Young Families
  • Older Children and Teenagers
  • Carers
  • Road Users
  • Internal audience
  • Tenants
  • Landlords
  • Managing agents
  • Solicitors
  • Estate agents
  • Letting agents
  • Leaseholders
  • Children
  • Young People
  • Social Care
  • Adults Social Care
  • Children and Young People Social Care
  • Early Help
  • Residents
  • Businesses
  • Communities

Interests

  • Licence applications
  • Local Plans
  • Development
  • Roads
  • Traffic
  • Environment
  • Residents
  • Communities
  • Businesses