Hampden Lodge - Latest

The Collier Row & Mawneys Residents Association is disappointed in this Conservative Administration as it ignores public feeling by continuing with the sale of Hampden Lodge, it would now seem, at whatever amount it can get for it. Last month, a confidential report was agreed by the Conservative Cabinet to accept a new offer from the developer at a considerable reduction to that originally offered, the exempt nature of the report does not allow us to print the actual costs involved.

However, if you are to read the summer issue of the Conservatives newsletter they say “Hampden Lodge Flats – Stopped, the Collier Row Conservatives successfully campaigned against the proposal to build yet more dwellings in Clockhouse Lane”. It is a strange boast from them, as the application was actually withdrawn, so we are not sure how they actually “Saved” anything. The words are also hollow, as the secret report pushed through by the Cabinet, just re-confirms the Council commitment to sell the land and the Council will only get the money, if planning permission is granted !

The original planning application for the site was for the demolition of the existing care home and construction of three residential buildings extending to three to four stories in height, to provide 58 residential units, with 58 car parking spaces. However, this application was withdrawn, for no reason by the developers. However, we understand that as we go to print a new application could be submitted soon, for approx 50 flats, a reduction of just 8.

Cllr Andrew Mann said “We are very concerned about this application. Hundreds of residents contacted us to object to this scheme and over 1000 people signed petitions. Almost all of the concerns were about the size and bulk of the development, lack of parking and amenity space, along with the traffic implications in Clockhouse Lane. Over 100 people turned out for a demonstration against the plans for the site”.

Residents Association Action Member, Denis Stevens said “This was a big housing development for Collier Row and has caused a lot of upset in the community, not least because the Council will only receive the money once contracts have been exchanged, on condition of receiving planning permission”.

Sadly, by withdrawing the scheme, the developer has the opportunity to make a fresh planning application, free of charge to Havering in the next few months for a slightly modified scheme, so the plans to build on this site have not gone away. We will be watching very carefully and will continue to fight this scheme.