Havering Council’s use of a medieval law to object to the City of London Corporation moving historic food markets to Dagenham has won support from councillors.
Although Billingsgate and Smithfield wholesale markets have planning permission for new buildings at Dagenham Dock, the move must be approved by law.
However, Havering believes the markets pose a “direct threat” to fishmongers, butchers and greengrocers at Romford Market.
Last month, the council lodged a formal objection – known as a petition – to the City of London (Markets) Bill, citing a 776-year-old law granted by King Henry III which forbids rival markets from operating “within a day’s sheep drive” of Romford Market.
A day’s sheep drive from Romford Market is approximately 6.66 miles.
On Thursday March 22, council leader Ray Morgon asked councillors to support this objection by sending a “strong message to the government” through a vote.
He told the full council meeting: “It has been advised to us that it’s prudent to take a vote on this, to signal our support for our market here in Romford and that we want it to continue to be a viable market for the future.”
The council’s key demand is that the City of London forbids any sales to members of the public, as current proposals will allow the overnight market to remain open until 9am for members of the public.
Havering Council is the only party to object to the City of London (Markets) Bill as it moved through Parliament.
If it does not withdraw its objection, the law will go to an opposed bill committee where four MPs will listen to evidence from the City of London and Havering before deciding whether any changes should be made.
According to Parliament’s clerk of private and hybrid bills Simon Armitage, the law will not go before a committee until the City of London “indicates its readiness for this to happen”.
A spokesperson for the City of London said co-location of the markets in Dagenham would be the best way to “secure the long-term future” of the markets but did not comment on Havering Council’s demands.
According to the corporation, the relocation will bring around 2,700 new jobs to Barking and Dagenham.
The City of London also aims to relocate New Spitalfields Market but it has admitted that is set to be "at a later date".
Plans could see around 2,000 homes built on the land where Billingsgate Market, in Canary Wharf, is now situated while the site of the current Smithfield Market, in the City of London, is set to become a new London Museum.
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