Planned Mosque for South Street, Romford, England

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A mosque could be built in the centre of Romford but the charity behind the plans must find millions of pounds to fund it.

The Havering Islamic Cultural Centre (HICC) has been in discussion with Havering Council about the possibility of building a mosque at 222-226 South Street in Romford.

In a statement to counter “misinformation” online, Havering Council leader Ray Morgon confirmed the HICC was in “advanced talks” with Bridge Close LLP, the council’s regeneration partner, for the sale of its current Waterloo Road site.

This is part of a wider redevelopment of the Bridge Close area for up to 1,070 homes, a primary school, health services and business space.

Under the terms of compulsory purchase order legislation, Cllr Morgon said the council is legally obliged to pay for “equivalent like-for-like reinstatement” – meaning it must pay to provide the HICC a site to offer its prayer services elsewhere.

He also said it must, by law, offer the HICC a “fair market price” for its Waterloo Road site.

The council says it hoped that a new site for the HICC could be included as part of its Bridge Close development.

But it said the HICC wants an alternative site in Romford to expand its services.

The HICC has earmarked the 222-226 South Street address, formerly barbecue restaurant Smokey’s Shack, as a “suitable” location for its mosque.

However, the Recorder understands there is no current planning application from the HICC for the South Street site, and nothing has been approved by the council.

Negotiations with the current owner of 222-226 South Street are ongoing, the council added.

Separately, a planning application, A0037.24, for restaurant signage at the South Street address was validated by the council on July 30.

Casia-Robinson Limited confirmed that all clients of the restaurant are aware of the mosque proposal. The HICC has appointed John McAslan and Partners to design the mosque, which is expected to cost millions. The HICC faces a £4.5 million shortfall in construction funds, which must be covered by the organization rather than the council.

To date, the HICC has raised £826,000 of the required amount. The new mosque will accommodate over 1,000 people and address current overcrowding issues, while also improving food bank and soup kitchen services.

A planning application will be submitted soon, with construction anticipated to take 18 months if approved. The mosque is designed as a three-floor building with a focus on sustainability and advanced technology.

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