Key Points
- Keith Prince, London Assembly member for Havering & Redbridge, calls for “dramatic” plans to revitalise Romford.
- Prince attended public consultation on redevelopment of The Liberty shopping centre.
- He recently defected to Reform UK after nearly 50 years with the Conservative Party.
- Proposed redevelopment includes up to 800 new homes, mainly one- and two-bedroom flats across three plots.
- Concerns raised about the high number of small flats and high-rise towers, especially a 25-storey landmark tower.
- Plans for Stewards Walk entrance involve transforming the retail space into an open shopping strip called Stewards Yard, removing some roof coverage.
- Prince worries this will reduce shelter and damage footfall, recalling Romford’s past struggles without roof coverage.
- Prince critiques growth of large shopping centres elsewhere (Lakeside, Bluewater, Westfield) for impacting Romford’s retail.
- Urges councils and developers to collaborate to regenerate Romford despite council’s limited ownership.
- Redical Ltd, Liberty owner, states most roofing will remain, aiming to improve Stewards Walk by widening and raising ceilings to create a welcoming environment.
- The design intends to allow open-air space in Stewards Walk but retain covered shopping in the rest of The Liberty.
What Are Keith Prince’s Views on the Liberty Shopping Centre Redevelopment?
As reported by Aaron Beswick of the Romford Recorder, Keith Prince expressed cautious reservations about the proposed redevelopment of The Liberty shopping centre. Prince, who recently switched allegiance to Reform UK after almost five decades as a Conservative, said,
“I’ve got a reserved view on it. I can see why they would want to put more housing in it. In some respects, that’s a good thing if it creates more footfall but you know our big demand is for family homes.”
Prince criticised the proposal for predominantly one- and two-bedroom flats, saying,
“More one and two bedroom flats? I think that would not be a good thing, especially high rise. Everybody’s moving away from high rise now.”
He emphasised a preference for family homes rather than smaller flats in towers.
What Does the Proposed Redevelopment Plan Include?
Redical Ltd, owner of The Liberty shopping centre, has submitted plans for a major redevelopment that may bring up to 800 new homes to Romford across three plots, confirmed at the public consultation attended by Cllr Prince. According to Redical:
- Plot one (Western Road): 400 homes spread across three towers — one between five and ten storeys, another 13 storeys, and a “landmark” 25-storey tower.
- Housing mix on Plot one: 45% one-bed studios, 40% two-bed flats, and 15% three-bed flats.
Redical aims to increase residential density while shifting parts of the shopping centre’s retail layout.
Why Is Keith Prince Concerned About Changes to Stewards Walk?
As reported by Aaron Beswick, Cllr Keith Prince raised a significant concern regarding the planned transformation of the Stewards Walk entrance to The Liberty. The proposal, put forward by Redical, involves removing the overhead roofing and creating an open-air shopping strip called Stewards Yard.
Prince recalled his personal experience from the 1970s when he worked at John Farmer Shoe Shop in Romford, explaining,
“We didn’t have a roof then and every time it rained, Romford was empty.”
He warned,
“My biggest concern is about the roof… I believe the plan is to remove some of the cover in Stewards Walk – I think that would be a mistake.”
He clearly advocates maintaining or increasing shelter coverage to protect shopper footfall against poor weather.
How Does Redical Ltd Respond to the Roof Removal Concerns?
In response, a spokesperson for Redical Ltd said the overarching aim is to improve the current design of Stewards Walk, which is described as “a dark, narrow street with a low ceiling.” They stated:
“By removing the roof and widening the street, we will create a more inviting environment for people to enjoy. While that will mean it is open to the elements, the upside is that on brighter days, such as in the summer, visitors and benefits will benefit from a much more welcoming public realm.”
The spokesperson reassured that “the vast majority” of roofing across the shopping centre will remain, allowing shoppers to seek cover elsewhere within The Liberty when weather conditions are unfavourable.
What Does Keith Prince Say About Romford’s Retail Challenges?
Prince lamented the impact of large out-of-town shopping centres on Romford’s retail vitality. He told the Romford Recorder journalist Aaron Beswick:
“We need to do something dramatic now to revitalise Romford. For too long, councils of all colours have just sat on their hands and watched while we’ve had the growth of Lakeside, Bluewater, Westfield.”
He highlighted that councils do not own significant parts of Romford’s retail area but insisted:
“that doesn’t mean that they can’t be involved heavily with developers, with owners to regenerate and revitalise Romford.”
Prince’s call to action urges active intervention to reverse retail decline caused by competition from larger malls outside Romford.
What Is the Significance of Keith Prince’s Recent Political Defection?
Prince made headlines on 4 October when it was revealed he had left the Conservative Party after nearly 50 years to join Reform UK. This political shift adds an extra layer of public interest and scrutiny to his views on local regeneration projects like The Liberty redevelopment.
How Will the Liberty Redevelopment Impact Romford’s Future?
The proposed plans represent a major investment in Romford’s housing and retail landscape. With up to 800 new homes, mixed retail changes, and public space enhancements, the scheme aims to rejuvenate the town centre amid economic challenges posed by competing shopping centres.
However, feedback from local politicians like Keith Prince underscores the complex balance between creating new housing, protecting shopper experience from weather elements, and addressing broader retail competition.
Redical’s commitment to retaining most roofing offers compromise, but the debate over open-air versus covered space will continue to be central to public sentiment.
What Are the Next Steps and Community Involvement?
The recent public consultation on The Liberty indicates that local voices, including elected officials and residents, are being engaged in the process. Comments from figures like Cllr Keith Prince reflect ongoing dialogue and scrutiny before final development approvals.
Redical Ltd and local authorities will likely continue consultations to address concerns around housing mix, building heights, and retail design to align with Romford’s needs and aspirations.
