Havering Council Pursues Legal Action As Landowner Blocks Progress Works On Launders Lane.

The owner of the Arnold’s Field site at Launders Lane has now refused permission for Havering Council to carry out its temporary solution to stop the fires on the site.

The fires have plagued residents for years and concerns are growing ahead of this year’s summer fire season.

After determining the privately owned site as contaminated land last year, the council has been working towards a temporary solution to stop the fires ahead of summer 2026. This follows previous efforts by the council to find a workable approach.

The proposed solution involved the use of a cement polymer covering, known as CPC, which would have been applied to fire hotspots across the site. The aim was to reduce the risk of fires while the landowner worked on a long term remediation plan.

However, the landowner, Mr O’Donovan of DMC Services Essex, has now halted this measure by refusing permission for the works to go ahead.

Last year, Mr O’Donovan said he would submit an alternative proposal to deal with the fires, along with a long awaited planning application for a permanent solution. To date, neither has been submitted.

The CPC solution would have been funded by the council and applied during April and May. It was expected to significantly reduce the risk of fires and the impact on residents during the summer months.

The council has already committed resources to the plan, including carrying out drone surveys and mapping work with the London Fire Brigade to identify key hotspots. Procurement had also begun for contractors to carry out the work.

Mr O’Donovan had been involved in the process, attending regular meetings with the council since May 2025, including further discussions following a public meeting in November 2025. Site visits have also taken place, including one as recently as last week with potential contractors.

With permission now refused and no alternative plan submitted, the council says it has no choice but to pursue legal action against the landowner in an effort to resolve the long running issue.

Havering Council will now continue to consult legal experts with the aim of issuing a remediation notice and forcing action to deliver a long term solution for residents in Rainham.

The council says that during the nine years of ownership, the landowner has not carried out drone surveys or studies to address the fires while longer term plans are developed.

Councillor Gillian Ford, Deputy Leader of Havering Council, said she was extremely disappointed with the situation.

She said the fires have been affecting residents for far too long and that the council had put forward a practical temporary solution to help contain the problem this summer while allowing time for a permanent fix.

She added that the council had even offered to fund the work, but claimed the landowner had delayed progress and ultimately refused permission at a critical stage.

Councillor Ford said the council now believes the delay has left it too late to carry out the temporary works before summer and warned that residents could continue to face the impact of fires.

She also stated that legal action will now be pursued against the landowner and any companies connected to the site, with the council seeking support from environmental legal experts.

The council has warned that resolving the issue through the courts could take years, meaning disruption for residents may continue.

Alongside legal action, Havering Council says it will continue to call on the government and the Greater London Authority for funding and support to help bring the situation to a resolution for the people of Rainham.

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