Romford Bridge Close Prayer Halls Bid Council Approval 2026

Key Points

• A formal planning application was validated by Havering Council on February 11, 2026, seeking permission for warehouse units at 10-12 Bridge Close, Romford, to continue operating as “prayer halls”.​
• The application aims to formalise the existing use of the units as places of worship amid ongoing regeneration plans for the Bridge Close area.​
• Bridge Close is part of a major redevelopment scheme by Bridge Close Regeneration LLP, a Havering Council-owned company, proposing up to 1,070 new homes, a three-form-entry primary school, health centre, community facilities, and public realm improvements including greening the River Rom.
• The nearby Havering Islamic Cultural Centre (HICC) at Waterloo Road faces demolition as part of this regeneration and plans to relocate to 222-226 South Street, featuring new prayer halls, community spaces, food bank, and soup kitchen.​
• HICC initially opposed the Bridge Close plans, urging members to object citing loss of a vital community facility for daily prayers, but later agreed to collaborate with the council.​
• Councillor Graham Williamson, Havering’s cabinet member for regeneration, supports HICC’s relocation, noting it requires significant community funding beyond the compulsory purchase settlement.
• No formal planning application has yet been submitted for the South Street site; it remains in pre-planning with public consultation ongoing.​
• The Bridge Close project involves compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for remaining land, as Havering owned about 57% initially.​
• John Lester, chairman of Havering’s Interfaith Forum, backs the HICC expansion for broader community services.​
• Public consultation event for HICC plans held at Brewery Shopping Centre on February 27, 2025, with views sought via HICC website.​
• HICC promotional material states: “Our current home at Waterloo Road in Romford is facing demolition as part of the Bridge Close regeneration scheme.”​
• Objection template from HICC: “The loss of the community facility as envisaged in the scheme is unacceptable and will mean that as well as Muslims being unable to meet their religious obligations there will be a loss to the wider community in Romford and across Havering.”​
• Cllr Williamson: “Whilst we had originally considered that the centre could be provided as part of the existing plans for Bridge Close, we fully support the HICC’s decision to seek an alternative location in Romford as well as their wish to expand their services to their congregation and the wider community.”​
• The scheme includes 5,956 sqm of commercial space (office, retail, leisure) and up to 6,970 sqm community facilities.​
• HICC has appointed John McAslan and Partners for South Street design, facing a £4.5 million funding shortfall.​
• Havering Council Leader Ray Morgon addressed online misinformation: “The HICC, in turn, is seeking an alternative site in Romford as they wish to expand their services to open a mosque. This requires them to raise additional money from the community, in addition to the settlement from the compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the existing site.”​
• A separate planning decision was made on application P1049.23 for 12 Bridge Close.​

Romford (East London Times) March 2, 2026 – Warehouse units at 10-12 Bridge Close in Romford have submitted a formal application to Havering Council, validated on February 11, seeking continued permission to operate as prayer halls amid sweeping regeneration plans for the area.​

The bid highlights tensions between preserving places of worship and ambitious housing developments in the borough. As reported in the Romford Recorder, the application addresses the units’ existing use as prayer facilities.​

What is the Bridge Close Planning Application About?

The application under Section 96a of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 seeks non-material amendments to prior approvals, focusing on retaining religious use at 10-12 Bridge Close.​

Havering Council’s regeneration arm, Bridge Close Regeneration LLP, leads the broader project for up to 1,070 energy-efficient homes, including affordable units, alongside infrastructure like a primary school and health centre. Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Lead for Development and Regeneration, stated:

“A huge amount of engagement and consultation has taken place ahead of the submission of this planning application. I am delighted therefore we are finally able to progress this scheme.”​

The site previously housed community uses, now at risk from demolition phases.

Why are Prayer Halls Seeking Permission Now?

The push for formalisation comes as Bridge Close undergoes transformation, with the council acquiring land via CPOs. As noted by Local Democracy Reporter Sebastian Mann of Time 107.5 fm, the nearby HICC at Waterloo Road must relocate due to demolition for the scheme.​

A spokesperson for HICC said in promotional material:

“Our current home at Waterloo Road in Romford is facing demolition as part of the Bridge Close regeneration scheme. As a result, an alternative site is needed and we are bringing forward plans to redevelop the land occupied by the former Page Calnan building.”​

This mirrors the prayer halls’ bid to secure legal status before full redevelopment impacts.​

How Does This Relate to HICC Relocation Plans?

Where is HICC Planning to Move?

HICC eyes 222-226 South Street, formerly Smokey’s Shack restaurant and builders’ merchant, for a new mosque retaining the historic façade. Plans include prayer halls, meeting rooms, education space, community areas, food bank, and soup kitchen.

The site lies southeast of Bridge Close. Negotiations with owners continue, per council updates.​

What Funding Challenges Face the New Centre?

Cllr Williamson remarked:

“A move requires HICC to raise significant additional funding from the community, in addition to the settlement, based upon compulsory purchase principles for the existing site.”​

HICC faces a £4.5m shortfall, appointing John McAslan and Partners for design, as reported in Peace Magazine by Abdullahi Yusuf.​

What was HICC’s Initial Stance on Regeneration?

The centre opposed early plans, mobilising objections. A template urged:

“The loss of the community facility as envisaged in the scheme is unacceptable and will mean that as well as Muslims being unable to meet their religious obligations there will be a loss to the wider community in Romford and across Havering.”

It highlighted daily five-prayer use.​

HICC has since partnered with the council, launching consultations.​

What Support Exists for These Changes?

Cllr Williamson added:

“We encourage all residents to participate in the upcoming public consultation and share their views in a respectful and tolerant way, which reflects our civilised society. We are all part of the same community and we should all have the same rights, be that in how we worship or where we meet.”​

John Lester, Havering Interfaith Forum chairman, said:

“The proposals will allow [the centre] to offer broader services to their congregation, as well as continuing to serve the local community, as they have done for many years. We can achieve so much more together to help improve our community, rather than focusing on what divides us.”​

Havering Council Leader Ray Morgon countered misinformation:

“Originally, we had hoped that the centre could be included as part of the existing plans.”​

What are the Broader Bridge Close Regeneration Details?

The scheme spans 5,956 sqm commercial space (offices, retail, leisure, professional services) and 6,970 sqm community facilities, including an ambulance station.

It addresses London’s housing needs, with public realm enhancements like a pedestrian-cycle bridge over the River Rom. Twelve sites borough-wide target redevelopment, including Romford town centre.​

As per The Havering Daily, the council wholly owns the LLP driving this.​

When and How Can the Public Engage?

An open event occurred at Brewery Shopping Centre on February 27, 2025, 3:30-6:30pm. Residents submit views via HICC’s website.​

Havering Council urges participation, as echoed in The Havering Daily:

“Havering Council Cabinet Members are encouraging members of the public to participate in Havering Islamic Cultural Centre’s (HICC) public consultation.”​

No formal South Street application exists yet; pre-planning continues.​

What is the Status of Related Applications?

Application P1049.23 for 12 Bridge Close received a decision, per Romford Now Facebook notification.​

The prayer halls bid, validated February 11, awaits determination.

Community and Legal Context

The prayer halls application underscores balancing religious freedoms with urban renewal. Havering’s plans prioritise infrastructure while accommodating faith needs via relocations.​

All statements reflect official positions; council documents detail CPO inclusions for South Street as a last-resort HICC site.​