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.
What we learned from 91 responses that were received to the online survey:
Positive feedback from the survey told us that:
Negative feedback from the survey told us:
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. |
The survey results are being reviewed and will help us to:
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.
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.
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