Our Proposal
We’re proposing the
following public benefits:
Improved retail offer
across The Liberty
New jobs
New flagship store and
retaining core shops
Mixed tenure homes
Walking routes (and opening hours)
Greener public realm, new plaza
and biodiverse roof space
More food and leisure
Existing Context and Our Approach
Our architectural designs will respect the context of Romford and reflect both local and contemporary building character. Ensuring the proposed design is embedded in Romford is a fundamental principle of the emerging proposals.
Existing context
Current buildings surrounding the site, including the former Debenhams
emerging approach
Proposed look and materiality of the building facades
The Emerging Porposals
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.
Key design features include:
New and improved public realm
Enhanced visibility and safer routes
Buildings designed to relate directly to the wider context of Romford
Greener surroundings and improved landscaping
Homes designed to high standards
and sustainability benchmarks
Longer opening hours with safer connections through the town
Flagship store and retaining core shops
Aerial view of the site and proposed plans
Vibrant new public spaces
Our proposals for Phase 1 offer new public space improvements, transforming how people move through, meet, and enjoy The Liberty.
This will feature:
New entrance square, bold shopfronts, and lush greenery on Western Road
New tree-lined walkways with public seating, cycle park, and clear signage to link entrances, shops and bus stops
A secondary square, Steward’s Yard, to draw people in from South Street
Illustrative view of the proposals from Western Road
Public landscaping and connectivity
Our landscape masterplan delivers a space that is greener, easier to navigate, and more welcoming for everyone. This includes improved connections, vibrant gateways, and flexible, inviting places for people to enjoy, unlocking the evening economy – all coming together to draw people in and encourage them to return.
Landscape masterplan
Artist’s impression of the landscaping initiatives
New shops and homes
We want to complement the existing retail offer and help revitalise underused parts of the site. New homes, public spaces, and active ground floor uses also align with Havering’s Romford Masterplan to strengthen The Liberty’s role in Romford’s future.
Bringing more people into the town centre will support shops, services, and add life throughout the day and evening. 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.
£3.6 million generated in annual expenditure by households
More detail on the new retail and homes will be shared in the next stage of consultation.
