“Bursting at the Seams”: Havering Braces for Impact as London Plan Pushes Infrastructure to Breaking Point”

Havering is bracing itself for a tidal wave of change – and not necessarily the good kind. The new London Plan, spearheaded by City Hall, is pushing for thousands of new homes in outer boroughs like Havering in a bid to tackle the capital’s housing shortage. But with stretched roads, packed GP surgeries, and overcrowded schools, the big question being asked across the borough is simple: how can we cope?

Under the current plan, Havering is expected to build around 12,850 new homes over 10 years – that’s 1,285 every year. Yet some insiders warn that the real figure could be far higher, particularly in so-called growth zones like Romford, Rainham, and Beam Park. Residents are already fearing that the pressure this will put on local infrastructure will be devastating.

Roads like Gallows Corner are already infamous for congestion, and with recent works turning travel into chaos, the thought of even more cars on the road is alarming. “It’s already a nightmare trying to get the kids to school,” says one Collier Row parent. “Add thousands more people and we’ll be at a standstill.”

Public transport isn’t faring any better. The Elizabeth Line may be shiny and new, but it’s not stopping enough in Havering, and peak-time crowding has already begun. Bus routes in outer areas like Harold Hill and Rainham remain infrequent, and residents report long waits and packed services.

And then there’s our schools and health services. Primary schools across the borough can have long waiting lists, GP appointments are like gold dust, and Queen’s Hospital is already one of the busiest in the capital. “We can’t even get a GP appointment as it is,” said a Rainham resident. “Where will the new residents go for care?”

Behind the scenes, services like water, electricity, and waste management are under mounting pressure. Thames Water has warned of outer London becoming a water-stressed area, while bin collections are struggling to keep up in some parts of the borough. More development without major investment in infrastructure could mean more fly-tipping, delays in collections, and increased pollution. “We’re seeing more rubbish on the streets than ever,” noted one Upminster resident. “What happens when the population doubles?”

And perhaps most heartbreaking of all, Havering’s cherished green spaces could be in the firing line.

The threat to greenbelt land is real. The potential construction of a new data centre and calls to release land for housing mean areas once protected could be up for grabs. The new planning rules allow developers to pay “cash to trash” – a phrase campaigners are now using to highlight what they see as the monetisation of nature.

Havering residents are proud of their green spaces, their local services, and their community spirit. But that spirit is being tested. Locals are asking where the matched funding is for new roads, new GP practices, new schools, and new infrastructure to support the homes being demanded. Without a clear answer, the fear is that Havering will become a borough buckling under the pressure of a plan written in City Hall but paid for by those on the ground.

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.