Special Report-“Save Our Green Belt”-Hornchurch Residents Prepare to Fight Off A 570 Flats And Homes Threat.

Fury as Council officers rule no environmental statement is needed as locals say a tranquil stretch of greenbelt farmland in Hornchurch is under threat as developers eye 570 new homes.

For residents of Benets Road and the neighbouring Druy Falls estate, the peaceful green belt fields that back onto their homes are more than just open land — they are a community treasure. But now, they fear this landscape of tranquillity could be lost forever.

Plans are being drawn up to build up to 570 homes on the 21.5-hectare farmland site, which lies wholly within the green belt. The request for what is known as a “screening opinion” was submitted last month by environmental consultants Wardell Armstrong LLP on behalf of the developer. This process determines whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is needed before a planning application can be made.

Havering Council’s planning department issued its decision on 11 September, with the report written by principal planning officer Andrew Thornley and signed off by strategic applications team leader Andrew Goate. Despite the site also sitting within a Minerals Safeguarding Area and an Archaeological Priority Area, officers concluded the proposal does not require an environmental statement.

The report argued that the scheme’s height and layout, alongside plans to retain some open space, meant the impact would be localised and would not significantly alter the wider landscape. “The site does not fall within any specific long, medium or short-range views which should be protected from development,” the report stated.

But residents strongly disagree. Hundreds of objections have already been submitted, with many locals calling the decision a betrayal of what the green belt was designed to protect.

A walk along the Benets Road footpath opens into expansive farmland, lined with trees that frame the fields like a living picture. Residents describe the area as a “peace haven”, filled with wildlife, where people walk dogs, grow vegetables, and enjoy rare tranquillity just a step away from busy Wingletye Lane. “It’s not just land – it’s part of our wellbeing,” one local said.

Concerns also centre on traffic. Wingletye Lane, which borders the site, is already “permanently gridlocked”, made worse by drivers cutting through to avoid the Gallows Corner closure. Residents warn that hundreds of new homes would only bring “chaos.”

For the community, the issue comes down to protection. “Green belt was meant to be safeguarded,” a campaigner said. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

While Havering Council insists any future planning application would go through the normal consultation process with letters, notices and press announcements, locals say they are ready to fight the proposals all the way.

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