Havering Council's Planning Committee has approved a housing development on land to the rear of 37 Dorset Avenue, Romford, despite significant concerns raised by residents regarding privacy, increased traffic, and loss of right of way.
The decision, made at a meeting on Thursday, 15 October 2026, saw the committee vote by four votes to nil in favour of granting permission for the erection of four new residential dwellings. The development includes the demolition of number 37 Dorset Avenue, which is described as a 'highly vegetated backland site'. The previous use of the land itself, beyond the existing dwelling, is not explicitly stated, but it is referred to as an 'underutilized heavily vegetated backland parcel of land'.
Concerns had been voiced by former Councillor Philippa Crowder and local residents about access to a rear right of way, the potential for increased traffic, and a loss of privacy. Residents also highlighted worries about the loss of right of way into their rear gardens.
During the debate, a councillor raised a concern about the 'loss of the three-foot access, right-of-way access to the backs of their properties'. The case officer responded, stating that access to the rail will be retained and that it is 'fine'.
Case officer Victoria Collins presented the application, outlining that the development would comprise two two-bedroom, four-person dwellings and two three-bedroom, five-person dwellings. The proposal also includes associated amenity spaces, landscaping, parking, and refuse and recycling facilities. The plan includes four off-street car parking spaces and eight secure cycle parking spaces. Officers addressed neighbours' concerns regarding traffic, concluding that the vehicular access via Dorset Avenue would handle modest traffic generation safely without harming the local highway network, although a detailed projection of the impact on traffic flow is not provided.
Officers also stated that adequate separation distances and careful siting of the new dwellings would prevent significant harm to privacy. The committee ultimately approved the application, subject to conditions.
Further details regarding the planning application can be found in the Public reports pack for the meeting held on 15 October 2026.