Our Proposal
We’re proposing to deliver:
A stronger retail offer, including a new flagship store while retaining much-loved favourites
More food, drink, and leisure options, creating a lively destination for everyone
Greener, more vibrant public spaces designed for activity from day into night
New jobs and opportunities to support the local economy
Safer, more welcoming walking routes across the town centre
New homes in a well-connected location
Overview of Proposals
A connected future for The Liberty
We’re preparing a hybrid planning application for three plots – each designed to revitalise The Liberty and its links to the wider town centre.
The plans focus on new homes, better connections, and active ground floors that support retail and community life.
Detailed designs for Plot 1, at the Western Road / South Street gateway, come first, delivering around 400 new homes, new shops, cafes and restaurants, and a public square.
Outline proposals for Plots 2 (Market Place and Mercury Gardens) and Plot 3 (Swan Walk) will guide the long-term redevelopment of the wider site.
What is a hybrid planning application?
It combines:
Full planning permission for Plot 1 (with all details confirmed)
Outline permission for later plots (details to follow)
This phased approach allows early delivery of homes and public spaces while plans for future phases are developed.
Key features
Our considered approach and detailed designs reflect careful site analysis, masterplan principles, and community feedback. They include:
Read more about key details from our proposals below
Vibrant new public spaces
Our proposals place public realm and landscaping at the heart of The Liberty’s transformation.
From playful family-friendly spaces to quiet green areas for rest and relaxation, our new public areas will support a thriving town centre community, helping to bring more people into Romford throughout the day and evening.
Illustrative view of podium play area
Illustrative view of Liberty Square
Illustrative view of Steward’s Yard
New public spaces for residents and locals to enjoy
Improved connections
Our plans will make it safer, easier, and more pleasant to move through the town centre
Safer pedestrian routes with a proposed crossing at Mercury Gardens (subject to ongoing discussions with Havering Council).
Secure cycle parking within the new buildings to encourage sustainable travel and meet London Plan standards.
An improved service environment that keeps The Liberty running smoothly while creating a tidier, more attractive setting.
Retention of all current public parking spaces.
Extended operating hours to improve the nighttime economy and safe connectivity from Western Road to Swan Walk.
Materiality, streetscape and townscape
Our designs aim to create a varied, welcoming, and human-scale environment.
Lively streets with new frontages that feel active and inviting.
Safe and vibrant public areas, with ground-floor spaces that encourage people to spend time here.
High-quality architecture that stands out from a distance and draws people toward the heart of Romford.
Respect for heritage, keeping lower building heights near the Romford Conservation Area and historic streets like Market Place.
Smart use of space, with taller buildings placed sensitively—set back from heritage areas and aligned with existing larger developments to form new landmarks.
A balanced townscape, blending Romford’s historic character with its evolving modern centre.
View of the proposals from Western Road and how the local context has informed the designs.
Building heights
The designs have been shaped by local character, heritage, and planning guidance, aligning with the Romford Masterplan and site’s position within a London Plan Opportunity Area.
Delivering much-needed homes:
Taller buildings make the most of this well-connected town centre site, helping to deliver new homes for families while keeping space for shops, public squares, and green areas.
Local policy context:
The Havering Local Plan and Romford Town Centre Masterplan support taller buildings in this area, especially near the station and where design and public spaces are of high quality. Building B reflects this, with active ground floors and strong design that contribute to improved public spaces.
Evolving context:
Nearby developments on Waterloo Road and Angel Way set a clear precedent for height in Romford’s town centre. Our proposals build on this positive change, helping to create a balanced and evolving skyline.
Minimal visual impact:
The tallest buildings are set back from the Conservation Area so they aren’t directly visible. Detailed daylight, sunlight, and overshadowing studies confirm the proposals will have a minimal impact on the surrounding area.
New homes
Our proposals include around 700-800 new homes, split over three phases, bringing more life, energy, and activity to the town centre – helping to support Romford’s housing needs, contributing towards Havering’s housing targets, and making Romford a place where more people can live, work, and enjoy spending time.
Our approach to bringing forward new homes as part of our mixed-use regeneration means we will be able to enhance The Liberty as a whole through unlocking new investment in retail and overall centre improvements.
Homes will come in a mix of types (such as Build-to-Rent) and sizes to ensure a diverse, balanced community, with allocations managed to prioritise local needs and provide opportunities for local residents and workers.
View of residential homes and ground floor from Western Road
A range of sizes
The new homes will be high-quality, sustainable, and designed to suit a range of needs – from first-time buyers and young professionals to growing families and downsizers.
Across the plots, we’re proposing to deliver:
Plot 1 – Approximately 400 homes
- Studios & 1-beds: 45%
- 2-beds: 40%
- 3-beds: 15%
- 66% dual-aspect homes for better natural light and ventilation
Plot 2 – Approximately 145 homes
Mercury House Retrofit – Approximately 95 homes
Plot 3 – Approximately 128 homes
More information on sizes for Plots 2 and 3 will come in the future detailed designs, once the outline applications establish the parameter plans.
Designed for quality living
We’re focused on creating homes that are comfortable, bright, and connected:
- Dual-aspect apartments to maximise daylight and fresh air
- Energy-efficient designs that lower bills and environmental impact
- Balconies or terraces for private outdoor space wherever possible
- Carefully designed layouts that make the most of every square metre
- Generous amenity offer both external and internal to the buildings
Examples of how the new homes may look
Build-to-Rent benefits
Professionally managed high-quality homes – no private landlords, with reliable on-site teams
Safe and secure living – secure access, natural surveillance and 24/7 support
Well-maintained spaces – communal areas cleaned and cared for to a high standard
Flexibility and security – modern rental options with long-term peace of mind
A thriving community – shared spaces and events will bring neighbours together
Additional investment and regeneration – stable community and enhanced public spaces make the area more appealing for locals and businesses alike, raising the overall quality of life for the community
Boosting Romford – more residents living locally will support shops, cafés, and leisure
Romford’s Market Place
Our vision is to transform the Market Place edge of The Liberty into a lively, welcoming destination that celebrates Romford’s heritage while improving the experience for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
These plans form part of our outline proposals for Plots 2 and 3, setting the framework for future detailed designs shaped by community feedback.
Key improvements include:
Opening up historic connections, with lanes and yards inspired by Romford’s traditional layout.
Greener, more welcoming streets with landscaped areas for people to relax and spend time.
Active ground floors featuring shops, cafés, and leisure uses to create vibrancy day and night.
Better pedestrian links between The Liberty, Market Place, Mercury Gardens, and Swan Walk.
Together, these changes allow for a balanced approach to regeneration and preservation.
What is happening with the former the Debenhams site?
The Debenhams site is owned by a third party and any future development is therefore subject to a separate planning process and timeline. We are in ongoing discussions with their team to help ensure our proposals complement each other.
We will continue to work with their team so the future of the town centre works for everyone.
View of Plot 2 from Market Place
View of Plot 2 from Market Place
View of Plot 3 linking Swan Walk and Debenhams
Sustainability
Sustainability is at the heart of our plans for The Liberty, from how we design and build, to how new homes and spaces perform in the long term.
Smarter, greener homes: Designed to cut carbon emissions by up to 75%, with efficient insulation, natural ventilation, and renewable energy such as solar panels.
Cleaner, lower-cost energy: Each home will use efficient heat pump systems to reduce bills and emissions, keeping homes comfortable year-round.
Circular design: We’re reusing materials wherever possible — including retaining and reusing Mercury House’s existing structure — to reduce waste and support a longer building life.
Resource efficiency: Homes will use less water and energy, with ongoing monitoring to make sure sustainability goals are achieved in practice.
Illustrative view of podium play area
Stay informed
Evolving The Liberty and the wider town centre will take exciting ideas and careful planning. That’s why we’re committed to keeping everyone informed, involved, and included – every step of the way.
You can also sign up to our mailing list to stay up to date with this project.