Exclusive: ‘Havering Residents First’ Councillors Hit Back at Claims Homes Will Be Sold Elsewhere.

Councillors have hit back at what they describe as false and damaging rumours circulating on social media that blocks of flats being built across Romford by Mercury Land Holdings will be sold to other east London boroughs. Senior figures at Havering Council say the claims are simply untrue and insist that homes being delivered through council-backed regeneration are being built first and foremost for Havering residents.

Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Lead for Regeneration and Development, exclusively told the Havering Daily:

“The claims that Mercury Land Holdings (MLH) is selling sites to other local authorities are completely incorrect. No discussions have taken place and NO agreements exist to sell ANY sites to any other council. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue.”

Councillor Williamson was clear that the purpose of Mercury Land Holdings is to support Havering, not other boroughs, and to ensure regeneration directly benefits local people. He said:

“MLH’s role is to support regeneration and investment within Havering, not to dispose of local assets to other boroughs. Decisions regarding MLH sites, as well as our entire regeneration programme, are made based on what best serves Havering residents, our local economy, and our long-term regeneration plans. The idea that MLH is engaged in some practice of selling off land to other councils is not only wrong but misrepresents how the company operates.”

The strong rebuttal follows comments made last week by Councillor Natasha Summers, who told the Havering Daily that Havering Council had declined government schemes to house asylum seekers in the borough, stressing that with housing already under significant pressure, homes must be prioritised for local residents. That position has now been reinforced at senior cabinet level, with Councillor Williamson making it clear that properties being built by Mercury Land Holdings are intended to serve Havering people.

Addressing the rumours directly, Councillor Williamson added:

“We are aware of speculation circulating on this issue, but speculation is not fact, and I would ask residents to consider WHY these rumours persist and WHO is repeating them – to scare and anger residents, to politicise the issue. It is a FACT that MLH continues to focus on delivering value and choice in home provision for Havering, and we reject any assertions that portray otherwise.”

With housing demand in Havering already high, councillors from the Havering Residents Association say the message could not be clearer. Homes built in Havering are for Havering residents, and attempts to suggest otherwise are being firmly and publicly challenged by the council leadership.

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