Council cites 776-year-old law in dispute over City of London plans to move historic wholesale markets

Havering Council hopes a 776-years-old law will help it win a planning battle with the City of London Corporation.

The Corporation sponsored a private bill in Parliament last November for approval to move the historic Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets to a purpose-built site at Dagenham Dock.

These markets are governed by legislation which means they can only be relocated with consent from Parliament. 

Although Havering does not oppose the move in principle it fears retail elements, which it said where not part of the Bill, would damage the nearby Romford market.

By a Royal Charter granted by Henry III in 1247, rival retail markets are prohibited within six and two-thirds miles of Romford market.

Havering leader Ray Morgon said: “We support the relocation of a wholesale market to Dagenham and welcome the wider economic benefits for the area, however we understand there will be an element of retail trade which is not written into the bill. 

“Whilst we welcome the move, we ask that the bill be redrafted to restrict the relocated markets to wholesale-exclusive trade. We will be happy to discuss the licensing of any retail on site in the same way that we do for other local markets.”

The corporation wants to move Smithfield meat market out of its site amid congested streets in the heart of the city.

Billingsgate fish market moved from the city in 1982 to the Isle of Dogs, which has in turn become too small a site.

The corporation said it planned to invest nearly £1bn in the new sites and regenerate 42 acres of industrial land by 2028.

Policy and resources committee chair Chris Hayward, said: “Relocating our markets will help ease traffic and improve air quality in inner London, while unlocking land at Billingsgate for new housing.”

Mark Smulian