Key Points
- Construction of the Family Welcome Centre in Harold Hill is progressing well, on track for completion in late Spring 2026.
- Main structural frame is finished, roof installation is underway, and external and internal works are progressing steadily.
- The centre will offer 74 self-contained dwellings of varying sizes, including larger units suitable for bigger families.
- It is designed as a U-shaped building with a landscaped central courtyard, play areas for children, and shared recreational and support spaces.
- The centre replaces existing borough hostels and provides emergency accommodation for families.
- Councillors and the Council Leader have visited the building site to review progress.
- This project is the first phase of the Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan, which includes further regeneration in Chippenham Road and Farnham and Hilldene estates.
- Community engagement has been ongoing through consultations to shape the development.
- The project is a significant part of the council’s commitment to supporting vulnerable families in Havering.
What is the current status of the Harold Hill Family Welcome Centre build?
The construction of the Family Welcome Centre in Harold Hill has reached an important milestone with the completion of the main structural frame. Roof installation has begun, and extensive work on external brickwork and internal partitioning is well underway. Services installations have started on multiple floors, and overall, the contractor is maintaining steady progress, keeping the build on schedule for a late Spring 2026 opening.
Council members including Councillors Paul McGeary and Graham Williamson, along with the Council Leader, have recently visited the site and expressed satisfaction with the progress being made.
What facilities will the Family Welcome Centre offer to its residents?
The welcome centre is designed as a U-shaped building centred around a landscaped courtyard, which includes play areas for children to ensure a family-friendly environment. It will comprise 74 self-contained dwellings that vary in size, catering for small to large families, with some units capable of accommodating up to eight family members.
Inside, the building will provide shared recreational spaces and support facilities, offering residents privacy alongside communal areas to foster a secure, welcoming community.
How does the Family Welcome Centre fit into the broader Harold Hill regeneration plan?
This centre is the initial phase of the Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan, which also spans future regeneration phases at Chippenham Road and the Farnham and Hilldene estates. These phases aim to deliver not only additional housing but also community facilities and environmental improvements.
Community involvement has been an essential aspect of this masterplan, with consistent engagement through public consultations ensuring the development reflects local needs and minimises disruption.
What have council members said about the project?
Council leaders have voiced strong support for the project. The Council Leader highlighted the importance of the centre as a cornerstone for providing safe accommodation to vulnerable families in the borough. Cabinet Lead for Housing expressed enthusiasm about the construction progress and anticipation of the centre’s role in supporting local families and individuals in need.
What is the timeline for completion?
Construction started in mid-2024 with milestones such as the completion of the main frame and services installation being met as planned. The final completion and opening of the Family Welcome Centre is targeted for late Spring 2026, aligning with broader timelines for subsequent regeneration phases in the area.
How has the local community been involved in the development?
Community engagement has been ongoing since 2016, including consultations, meetings, and public drop-in events. These efforts ensure transparency and allow residents and businesses to contribute feedback which has influenced the development’s design and delivery to best meet local priorities.
What are the next regeneration projects following this phase?
After the Family Welcome Centre, regeneration work will continue with phase two at Chippenham Road and phase three at Farnham and Hilldene, with plans encompassing new homes, community spaces, and environmental upgrades to further enhance Harold Hill Town Centre.
