London Borough of Havering’s Local Planning Authority (LPA) has published formal reports ahead of a Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 3 March regarding the highly controversial East Havering Data Centre Campus proposal in North Ockendon, which has already faced strong opposition from local residents.
The Local Planning Authority will be seeking approval to consult on a draft Local Development Order that would enable the development of the proposed East Havering Data Centre Campus. If approved by the Strategic Planning Committee, the consultation will run from 6 March to 7 April 2026.
The consultation will give residents and stakeholders the opportunity to review planning, environmental and technical documents and provide feedback on the plans before any final decision is taken by the Strategic Planning Committee on whether to adopt the Local Development Order.
The draft Local Development Order sets out the planning framework for a new data centre campus including multiple data centre buildings, an indoor horticultural facility, a district heating network, an Ecology Park and a visitors centre.
A Local Development Order grants planning permission for specific types of development upfront but still requires the same level of assessment and scrutiny as any major planning application. The Local Planning Authority leads the process independently from the wider council.
Helen Oakerbee, Havering Director of Planning and Public Protection, said the committee will be asked to approve the launch of the statutory consultation and described it as an important opportunity for residents to explore the plans in detail and share their views. She added that residents’ feedback will help shape the next stage of the process.
Residents can view the Strategic Planning Committee reports on the council’s website ahead of the meeting.
The proposal has proved highly controversial, with many residents raising concerns about the scale of the development and its potential impact on the local area, and opposition to the plans continuing to grow.
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