Romford Land Swap Secures Community Hall and Affordable Housing, Romford 2026

Key Points

• Land Swap Finalised: Havering Council has completed a land swap agreement with the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford to enable the development of Blocks 9 and 10 at the Waterloo and Queen Street regeneration site.
• Replacement of Derelict Facility: The deal secures the relocation and rebuilding of an existing derelict community hall, replacing it with a modern, fit-for-purpose community, faith, and local activity space.
• 12 Estates Programme Integration: The scheme forms a key stage of Havering Council’s wider 12 Estates regeneration project, delivered alongside joint venture partner Wates Residential.
• Affordable Housing Progress: Planning permission was granted in February 2026 for 107 new affordable homes across Blocks 9 and 10, situated close to Cotleigh Road.
• Interim Housing Initiatives: The announcement builds upon the recent meanwhile use of part of the broader site, where 18 modular homes were installed to support homeless families.

Romford (East London Times) October 20, 2026 – Havering Council has completed a land swap agreement with the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford to secure the future development of Blocks 9 and 10 within the Waterloo and Queen Street regeneration site in Romford. The transaction ensures that an existing but derelict community hall will be demolished, relocated, and rebuilt as a modern facility for local residents, faith groups, and neighbourhood activities.

The agreement marks a key operational step in the council’s overarching 12 Estates regeneration initiative, which is being executed in partnership with joint venture developer Wates Residential. Under the terms of the land exchange, the local authority and the diocese have aligned landholdings to facilitate both the construction of the new community asset and the delivery of broader residential and public space enhancements across the site.

How Will the Waterloo and Queen Street Land Swap Benefit Romford Residents?

The agreement between Havering Council and the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford directly unblocks the redevelopment of Blocks 9 and 10, located near Cotleigh Road. The existing community hall on the site had fallen into disrepair, rendering it unusable for local groups. By exchanging land parcels, the council and the diocese have established a clear site boundary that allows the construction of a purpose-built facility designed to host community gatherings, faith services, and local events.

Alongside the civic infrastructure, the land swap enables the advancement of residential plans for the site. Planning permission for the construction of 107 new affordable homes across Blocks 9 and 10 was formally granted in February 2026. The wider Waterloo and Queen Street masterplan focuses on increasing local housing capacity while updating public realms and open spaces to integrate new housing density with established residential roads.

What Statements Were Made by Havering Council Regarding the Agreement?

In an official statement detailing the completion of the land exchange, Councillor Robert Whitton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, outlined the strategic intent behind the joint initiative. Councillor Robert Whitton stated that

“the Waterloo and Queen Street regeneration is about creating a neighbourhood that works for both existing and future residents.”

Councillor Whitton further noted that “securing the future of the community hall through this land swap demonstrates our commitment to protecting valued community facilities alongside delivering new affordable homes.” Commenting on the multi-agency approach required to complete the land transfer, Councillor Whitton added that

“by working collaboratively with the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford, we are ensuring that local people will benefit from improved facilities, new homes and a stronger, more vibrant community for generations to come.”

How Does Blocks 9 and 10 Fit Into the Broader 12 Estates Regeneration Project?

The development at Blocks 9 and 10 represents one component of Havering’s long-term 12 Estates programme, a multi-site joint venture between Havering Council and Wates Residential aimed at updating council-owned housing stock and public land across the borough. The project seeks to deliver a mixture of affordable tenures, council rented properties, and shared ownership units across multiple urban locations in Romford and surrounding districts.

Prior to the completion of the land swap for Blocks 9 and 10, temporary measures had been implemented across the wider Waterloo and Queen Street location to address pressing local housing needs. Part of the broader regeneration area was designated for meanwhile use, resulting in the installation of 18 modular homes designed to provide immediate temporary shelter for homeless families awaiting permanent housing allocations.

Background of the Particular Development

The Waterloo and Queen Street site is one of the largest individual land parcels included within Havering Council’s 12 Estates scheme. Originally constructed in the post-war era, the residential estates and associated civic structures in the area gradually experienced structural aging and functional obsolescence, prompting the council to pursue comprehensive redevelopment rather than piecemeal repairs.

In response to growing demand for affordable accommodation across the East London corridor, Havering Council formed a joint venture partnership with developer Wates Residential to overhaul 12 municipal estates over a multi-year timeframe. The masterplan for Waterloo and Queen Street was drawn up to replace low-density, deteriorating housing blocks with modern residential units meeting updated energy efficiency and spatial standards.

The community hall situated within the Waterloo and Queen Street site historically served as an assembly point for neighbourhood groups, youth activities, and church-led outreach programmes under the auspices of the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford. However, as the wider estate approached redevelopment, the building deteriorated, leading to its eventual closure. Because ownership of the original hall and surrounding land was split between municipal and ecclesiastical authorities, progressing the physical regeneration of Blocks 9 and 10 required a formal land swap to consolidate titles, transfer development rights, and guarantee the replacement of the community venue within the final site design.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Romford Residents and the Local Community

The completion of the land swap and the subsequent delivery of Blocks 9 and 10 will directly impact local residents, housing applicants, and community groups across Romford in several distinct ways.

• Local Community Groups and Faith Organisations: The provision of a modern, fit-for-purpose community hall will restore local meeting space that was lost when the original building fell into disrepair. Local groups, charities, and the Church of England Diocese of Chelmsford will gain access to upgraded facilities capable of supporting civic events, childcare groups, and religious services, fostering stronger local social cohesion.
• Low-Income Families and Housing Seekers: The progression of Blocks 9 and 10, supported by the February 2026 planning approval for 107 affordable homes, will increase the supply of modern housing within the borough. For local families currently on council waiting lists or residing in temporary shelter—such as those occupying the 18 modular homes on site—the progression of the 12 Estates programme provides a trajectory toward permanent, energy-efficient council tenancy.
• Existing Waterloo and Queen Street Estate Residents: Construction activities associated with clearing the derelict hall and building Blocks 9 and 10 will bring localized urban disruption, including temporary traffic management and site noise near Cotleigh Road. In the longer term, however, current residents will see an overhaul of local public spaces, improved pedestrian routes, and upgraded neighbourhood infrastructure, contributing to higher property standards and improved public safety across the estate.