Planning Application P0666.26 - link to Havering Planning Portal Entry

Proposed Artwork at Rubicon Court Pocket Park.

Romford Civic Society (the Society) strongly supports this application.

The location of the proposed installation is the recently installed pocket park behind the Golden Lion public house and in front of the Rubicon block.

The Society argues that the proposals contributes to policy objectives for the centre of Romford established in both Romford Masterplan and Romford Conservation Area Appraisal.

The Masterplan establishes that existing public spaces will be enhanced to support a family friendly town centre (policy SL2, page 37).  It further identifies that the centre of the town will be characterised  by engaging public spaces (policy SL3, p. 37).  Further, it commits to the creation of vibrant and inviting public areas (page 88).  It also notes, however, that the town centre is lacking in green spaces (page 18).  To remedy this, the masterplan promotes a wide range of public spaces, including pocket parks and squares (page 37).

The application proposes an arts-based intervention in one of those rare town centre green spaces, though it is also true to say that the space in question could currently most kindly be described as underwhelming.  It is poorly designed and thoughtlessly executed with little attention to quality of materials or finishes.  The space is currently shoddy and of low value. 

Situated in Romford Conservation Area, Romford Conservation Area Appraisal correctly identifies the pocket park which is the site of this application as being; “very municipal and its contributionto the character of the conservation area is limited in itspresent condition” (p. 30, Romford Conservation Area Appraisal).

By giving focus to the pocket park and introducing a high-quality and durable bespoke art work to the environment, the Society argues that the proposal makes a valuable intervention into the space. If reflected in careful and long-term application of the standards of the artwork proposed here to the materials, street furniture and planting of the pocket park in which it is situated, the Society argues it will lead to the transformation of the quality of this public space so that it meets the requirements of a thoughtful and interesting environment established for such areas in the Masterplan. The Society strongly supports the application not just for its intrinsic value as a piece of design, but also for the instrumental benefit which in can bring as a catalyst for the transformation and dramatic improvement of the currently shabby environment of this important part of the town centre and the conservation area.  This will require constant focus on the quality of the streetscene, materials and furnishings in the town centre by the local authority, its partners and developers in the town, and judicious and focused use of such as CIL monies to achieve these goals.

The applicants have satisfied the Society that the materials used in this application would be durable and attractive, that the proposal is designed to minimise the potential for vandalism and damage, and that there is clear ownership of the object by Romford BID.  The Society suggests that a service-level agreement for the maintenance (including responsive maintenance) of the object we drawn up with the BID for consideration with the application.