Rainham Says NO To Overdevelopment On Upminster Road North.

8th September 20268th September 2026 Francesca Lilleystone 0 Comments Havering, Havering Council, Housing, Peition, Rainham min read

At the Full Council meeting on the Wednesday 2 September, Rainham and Wennington Councillor Sue Ospreay submitted a petition on behalf of residents opposed to an application to build 411 homes on agricultural land next to Upminster Road North.

“”As soon as this issue was brought to my attention, I contacted the company to request a meeting, and I am still waiting for a response. I also personally called the application into planning for proper consideration. Once concerned residents began getting in touch, a petition was started by Tina and Debbie, and the response has been fantastic. This application raises serious concerns around its scale, highways and access, infrastructure, environmental impact and the loss of green space. These are matters that deserve proper consideration by the Planning Committee.” said Cllr Ospreay. “It is time Rainham and Wennington stopped being treated as the forgotten end of Havering. Yes Havering has a housing shortage but we should not have to sacrifice the character and green spaces of Rainham and Wennington.

Thank you to everyone who has spoken up, got involved and, most importantly, to the residents who took the time to sign the petition. The incredible response shows just how much people care about the future of our community.”

One of those residents is Debbie Light, who has lived on Lakeside for 38 years “The land is grade 1 agricultural land that produces crops for both local and national markets. Given its importance for food production, why should we allow it to be lost to development?” Debbie told The Havering Daily. Alongside other committed residents Debbie went door-to-door and was overwhelmed by the level of support.

Beam Park Councillor Matt Stanton was also contacted by concerned residents and was pleased to see that so many people had signed the petition. “Solving our housing crisis doesn’t mean settling for whatever is offered. When councils like Havering fail to deliver housing over decades, it weakens the ability of communities to argue for the good quality, affordable homes they actually need. Just because residents rightly don’t want rabbit hutch housing built on this piece of farmland doesn’t mean they don’t want somewhere for their children and grandchildren to live and grow up”.

No date has yet been confirmed for the application to be considered by the Planning Committee.

Beam Park Councillor Matt Stanton and Rainham Councillor Sue Ospreay with Rainham residents ready to hand in their petition.