Report attached.

Cabinet

Agreed the adoption and publication of the Romford Town Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as planning policy and to publish the associated documents as set out below under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

The following documents will be published: 

Appendix 1: Romford Town Centre Masterplan (SPD)  

Appendix 2: Romford Masterplan Baseline Report,including Heritage Audit 

Appendix 3:Romford Masterplan Consultation Statement  

Appendix 4: Romford Masterplan Health Impact Assessment  

Appendix 5: Romford Masterplan: Findings of No Significant Effect Report  

Report Title: Cabinet approval to adopt Romford Masterplan SPD as planning policy

Presented by: Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration 

Summary: 

This report seeks approval to adopt the Romford Town Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as planning policy, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

Cabinet:

Agreed the adoption and publication of the Romford Town Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) as planning policy and to publish the associated documents as set out below under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. 

The following documents will be published: 

Appendix 1: Romford Town Centre Masterplan (SPD)  

Appendix 2: Romford Masterplan Baseline Report,including Heritage Audit 

Appendix 3:Romford Masterplan Consultation Statement  

Appendix 4: Romford Masterplan Health Impact Assessment  

Appendix 5: Romford Masterplan: Findings of No Significant Effect Report  

Response to Comments of Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Cabinet were asked to consider and respond to the following recommendations made by the Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee:

Members provided the following comments & suggestions to support the delivery of the Master Plan Supplementary Report:

The Sub-Committee welcomed the Master Plan and commended the report to Cabinet for its approval.

Response: Support noted and welcomed

The Sub-Committee (S/C) support the need for an Inward Investment in Romford Strategy, related launch events and would like to see further details when available.

Response: Noted, this will be actioned by the Council’s Economic Development and Inward Investment Teams

The S/C asked for all the referred to associated documents such as the IDP & Local Plan to be updated accordingly and advised when that has happened and to have sight of them.

Response: Noted, the Local Development Scheme (LDS) is being updated now and is soon to be published. The Infrastructure Deliver Plan (IDP) will be updated as part of the evidence base for the local plan.

Link to the current IDP:Havering Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2018

Link to Infrastructure Funding Statements:

https://www.havering.gov.uk/downloads/download/890/infrastructure-funding-statement

The S/C are interested in the growth of small retail businesses in Romford and are keen to encourage this.

Response: Noted, the conditions for the growth of small retail businesses in Romford will be encouraged and promoted with the publication of the RMP.  In addition, as we move forward with the review of the Local Plan and the Inclusive Growth Strategy this will support and build on and the proposals in the Romford Masterplan.

The S/C are interested in what the plan will encourage and deliver in regards to economic growth, and how the requisite skills and employment will be achieved.

Response: Noted, the proposed Inward Investment Strategy will build on the proposals in the Romford Masterplan.  The Council’s education and skills plan is to be reviewed over the coming months.  With greater links to the schools, career and employment work, we will endeavour to ensure that local people develop and achieve the skills needed to take advantage of employment opportunities in Romford and across the borough.

The S/C hope that the new jobs will increase residents’ employability and household incomes.

Response:  Noted

The S/C are interested in how the Master Plan will be funded and also the provision of more schools / school places in support of the Plan.

Response: There will be private funding (CIL and S106) through development and inward investment.  In line with the ongoing discussions with the education service, site guidance details potential school locations and ensures that the growth in housing and residential population is matched by additional necessary school places, with the new schools being developed within the Masterplan area.

The S/C are interested in Romford developing as a place of learning taking the Queens Hospital University as a key driver for this.

Response:  Noted

The S/C are interested in the future demand on health facilities, in particular the adequacy of the development of additional medical hubs to support the Queens Hospital. Re-iterate approach to health in the Masterplan. Refer to updated IDP. 

Response: Noted. The Council identifies all infrastructure requirements to support growth in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan, a formal document that sites below the Local Plan.  In addition, with regards to the delivery of health infrastructure, there is an Infrastructure Delivery Board that sits as part of the Integrated Care Partnership for Havering.  All health partners sit on this board along with the Council.

The S/C asked if the plan or related plans could consider attracting wider further education facilities, e.g. a university, college or skills academy.

Response: The proposed Inward Investment Strategy will consider this.