A Havering Council strategic planning committee meeting on January 22 saw representatives from Homes4Life, which has agreed to buy Crowlands Heath Golf Course from Barking and Dagenham Council, present their proposals.
Conservative councillor Viddy Persaud said she “objects” to the proposal and claimed she had seen an “overwhelming response” from residents opposed too.
She raised concerns regarding the loss of open land and referred to the site of the proposal as green belt land – although the Homes4Life representatives referred to the site as grey belt land.
Crowlands Heath Golf Course entrance (Image: Google)
Cllr Timothy Ryan (Con), a fellow Rush Green and Crowlands ward councillor, added that he was “very deeply concerned” about the plans in relation to potential issues with traffic and local wildlife.
But director of Homes4Life, Marc Pennick – who was also in the meeting – has since told the Recorder that he intends to continue moving forwards with his proposal but would “gladly” change his plans if Havering Council provides new homes for those on the waiting list.
He said: “H4Life won’t stop delivering affordable family homes.
CGI of the proposed housing estate (Image: Kanda)
“I’m hopeful common sense will prevail and we will continue to work with the local community to develop these plans.
Marc Pennick, director of Homes4Life (Image: Havering Council)
“I am still planning to move ahead with the plans for Crowlands Heath Golf Course to provide new affordable homes and exceptional community benefits.”
Mr Pennick confirmed that alongside the new homes the proposal includes a convenience store, a lakeside community centre and a sports facility with publicly available green spaces.
“I’m told by local Conservative councillors in Havering that the area doesn’t need more housing in lieu of people playing golf on a private landfill site as the infrastructure can’t take much more,” he added.
Mr Pennick pointed out the level of people on Havering’s housing waiting list has increased significantly.
“My proposal delivers large public open space for everyone without having to pay for the pleasure of using it.
“We have 100 per cent affordable homes which would dramatically reduce the council’s housing waiting list and get people out of temporary accommodation which is putting a financial strain on the council’s finances.”
Crowlands Heath Golf Course straddles land in both the boroughs of Havering and Barking and Dagenham.
According to a Havering Council report that was prepared ahead of the meeting in January, 1,253 homes are planned to be built with 959 (76.5 per cent) of them on land in Havering and 294 (23.5pc) on land in Barking and Dagenham.