Appeal after plans for flats on Romford car dealership fail

A builder has appealed after plans to demolish a car dealership to make way for homes were rejected.

Developer London Square Development had applied last April to redevelop the Vauxhall dealer in London Road, Romford, into three blocks, with a total of 25 one-bedroom, 39 two-bedroom and eight three-bedroom homes with 30 car parking spaces, cycle parking and recycling facilities.

A planning statement filed by agent Q Square on the builder’s behalf claimed that the “high quality design” would contribute to the regeneration of the area.

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But the application was rejected in November 2022 by council’s planning committee, which described it as a “cramped” development considering the building’s scale.

London Square Development filed an appeal on May 15 against council’s rejection.

The council’s decision stated that the housing blocks would be “out of character” and neighbourhood could face “significant loss of light”.

It also criticised “insufficient” communal space and the failure to offer affordable housing.

If approved, the proposal would have been liable to a £2.3m infrastructure levy payable by the builder.

A hearing by the Planning Inspectorate will be held to decide the outcome of the appeal.