Havering Data Centre Row Deepens: North Ockendon Consultation Plans North Ockendon 2026

Key Points

• London Borough of Havering’s Local Planning Authority (LPA) has published formal reports ahead of a Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for 3 March 2026, regarding the controversial East Havering Data Centre Campus proposal in North Ockendon.
• The LPA is seeking approval to consult on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) that would enable the development of the proposed campus, including multiple data centre buildings, an indoor horticultural facility, a district heating network, an Ecology Park, and a visitors centre.
• If approved by the Strategic Planning Committee, the public consultation will run from 6 March to 7 April 2026, allowing residents and stakeholders to review planning, environmental, and technical documents and provide feedback.
• A Local Development Order grants upfront planning permission for specific developments but requires the same level of assessment and scrutiny as any major planning application, with the LPA leading the process independently from the wider council.
• Helen Oakerbee, Havering Director of Planning and Public Protection, stated that the committee will be asked to approve the statutory consultation, describing it as an important opportunity for residents to explore the plans in detail and share their views, with feedback shaping the next stage.
• Residents can view the Strategic Planning Committee reports on the council’s website ahead of the meeting.
• The proposal has faced strong opposition from local residents, who have raised concerns about the scale of the development and its potential impact on the local area, with opposition continuing to grow.

North Ockendon (East London Times) February 26, 2026 – The row over the proposed East Havering Data Centre Campus in North Ockendon has intensified as the London Borough of Havering’s Local Planning Authority published formal reports ahead of a pivotal Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 3 March. These reports outline plans for a public consultation on a draft Local Development Order that could pave the way for the controversial project, amid mounting opposition from residents concerned about its scale and environmental impact.​

The initiative, which includes multiple data centre buildings alongside ancillary facilities, has sparked significant debate within the community. Local residents have voiced strong objections, highlighting fears over the project’s footprint in the green belt area of North Ockendon.

As reported by The Havering Daily, the Local Planning Authority is seeking committee approval to launch a statutory consultation period from 6 March to 7 April 2026, giving stakeholders a formal chance to scrutinise detailed planning, environmental, and technical documents before any final decision.​

What Is the East Havering Data Centre Campus Proposal?

The draft Local Development Order sets out a comprehensive planning framework for the new data centre campus. It encompasses not only the core data centre buildings but also an indoor horticultural facility, a district heating network designed to serve nearby areas, an Ecology Park aimed at enhancing biodiversity, and a visitors centre to educate the public on the site’s operations.

As detailed in the council’s published reports, this LDO would grant upfront planning permission for these specific types of development, streamlining the process while maintaining rigorous scrutiny equivalent to standard major applications.​

The Local Planning Authority emphasises its independence in leading this process, separate from the broader council decision-making. This structure ensures that assessments on environmental impact, traffic, noise, and ecology remain thorough. Residents and stakeholders will have access to all relevant documents during the consultation, enabling informed feedback that could influence modifications or even rejection of the plans.

When and How Will the Consultation Take Place?

The Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 3 March 2026 marks the immediate next step, where members will vote on approving the consultation launch. If greenlit, the public consultation period will commence on 6 March and conclude on 7 April 2026—a full month for submissions.

As per the formal reports available on the council’s website, this phase allows individuals to review comprehensive technical appendices, environmental statements, and planning frameworks in detail.​

Helen Oakerbee, Havering Director of Planning and Public Protection, commented on the significance of this stage. She 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”.

This feedback mechanism underscores the LPA’s commitment to public involvement before the committee deliberates on adopting the LDO.​

Residents are encouraged to access the reports online ahead of the meeting, ensuring they can prepare contributions. The council’s website provides direct links to these documents, promoting transparency in the lead-up to 3 March.

Why Has the Proposal Sparked Such Controversy?

The East Havering Data Centre Campus has proved highly controversial from its inception, with opposition intensifying as details emerge.

Many residents have raised alarms about the sheer scale of the development, which they argue threatens the rural character of North Ockendon—a village on the eastern fringe of Greater London known for its green spaces. Concerns centre on potential increases in traffic, energy consumption, noise pollution, and loss of green belt land, all in an area prized for its tranquility and proximity to natural habitats.​

Local opposition continues to grow, with community groups and individuals mobilising against the plans. The proposal’s location in North Ockendon, part of Havering’s strategic green belt, amplifies fears of irreversible environmental damage.

Critics question the necessity of such a large-scale data centre in a residential and ecological hotspot, especially given the site’s distance from major urban infrastructure hubs. While the LPA highlights benefits like the district heating network and Ecology Park, detractors argue these do not offset the downsides.

No other media outlets have yet reported additional details beyond The Havering Daily’s coverage as of 26 February 2026, but the story’s traction suggests broader pickup may follow the committee meeting. The publication notes that the row “deepens” precisely because of these consultation revelations, framing it as a flashpoint for resident engagement.

Who Leads the Planning Process and What Role Does the LPA Play?

The Local Planning Authority (LPA) for the London Borough of Havering holds the reins on this process, operating independently from the wider council. This autonomy is a key feature of LDOs, ensuring decisions rest on planning expertise rather than political pressures. The LPA’s reports explicitly state that, despite granting upfront permissions, the order demands

“the same level of assessment and scrutiny as any major planning application”.​

Helen Oakerbee’s role as Director of Planning and Public Protection positions her at the forefront. Her statements, as quoted in The Havering Daily, reinforce the procedural integrity: the committee’s approval is sought solely for initiating consultation, not for endorsing the project outright.

This phased approach allows for iterative refinement based on public input, a standard in UK planning law.

The Strategic Planning Committee, comprising elected councillors with planning oversight, will review all feedback post-consultation before deciding on adoption. This body represents democratic accountability, balancing technical advice from the LPA with community voices.

What Facilities Are Included in the Data Centre Campus?

Beyond the primary data halls, the proposal integrates sustainability-focused elements. The indoor horticultural facility could utilise waste heat from servers for vertical farming, aligning with net-zero ambitions. The district heating network promises to supply low-carbon heat to local homes and businesses, potentially reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

An Ecology Park would create habitats for wildlife, compensating for any land take, while a visitors centre offers transparency on operations.​

These features aim to position the campus as a modern, multi-use site rather than a monolithic industrial blot. However, residents question their feasibility and prominence amid the dominant data infrastructure.

How Can Residents Access Reports and Submit Feedback?

All Strategic Planning Committee reports are now live on the London Borough of Havering’s official website, ahead of the 3 March meeting. Interested parties can download planning documents, environmental impact assessments, and technical appendices directly. The council urges early review to facilitate meaningful consultation inputs from 6 March.​

Feedback submission methods will be detailed post-approval, likely via online portals, email, or public events. This accessibility is crucial in a borough where digital inclusion varies.

What Happens After the Consultation Period?

Following the 7 April close, the LPA will collate responses for Strategic Planning Committee consideration. A final decision on adopting the LDO could follow in subsequent meetings, potentially leading to detailed applications or amendments. Rejection remains possible if objections overwhelm supportive evidence.

Helen Oakerbee emphasised this shaping role: “Residents’ feedback will help shape the next stage of the process.” Should the LDO proceed, construction timelines would then emerge, subject to further approvals.

Broader Implications for Havering’s Green Belt

North Ockendon’s green belt status amplifies the stakes, as national policy protects such lands from urban sprawl. Data centres, while vital for the digital economy, face scrutiny nationwide over land use. Havering’s move tests balances between economic growth, sustainability claims, and community preservation.

Opposition growth signals potential for legal challenges via judicial review if deemed procedurally flawed. The consultation’s outcome could set precedents for similar schemes across outer London.