Heavyweight duo win Romford regeneration contest

The two practices defeated an undisclosed shortlist to win the commission backed by Havering Council and mixed-use developer First Base. Levitt Bernstein was among the other practices to participate in the contest.

The winning duo designed a 500-unit housing scheme along with a primary school and a commercial space, forming the first phase of the 2.8ha  Bridge Close regeneration, masterplanned by Fletcher Priest (masterplan pictured).

The development, near Romford’s soon-to-open Elizabeth Line station, will deliver more than 1,000 homes along with a new primary school, cultural and community facilities and workspaces. It will also include a path next to the River Rom.

Maccreanor Lavington associate Tom Waddicor said: ‘We are delighted to have been selected to be part of such a great team delivering this ambitious new urban quarter in the heart of Romford. It offers a wonderful opportunity to create a well-connected new neighbourhood next to an enhanced River Rom and we look forward to working with the council and the local community to develop a wide variety of high-quality new homes and important community uses.’

Allies and Morrison partner Paul Eaton said: ‘This project offers an exciting opportunity to make a good building in a good place, contributing to a vibrant riverside neighbourhood for living, learning and working that is knit into Romford town centre.’

First Base managing director Elliot Lipton commented: ‘Working with renowned practices such as Maccreanor Lavington and Allies and Morrison will help deliver the vision for a vibrant, mixed-use community at the heart of Romford. This piece of Romford town centre will be reinvigorated, bringing jobs, commerce and homes helping to boost the local and London economy.’

Maccreanor Lavington and Allies and Morrison will now work alongside Fletcher Priest to further develop concepts for the initial phase.

The town centre site currently hosts several light industrial units and low-rise homes.