Havering Rejects Homes4Life’s 1,253-Home Golf Course Plan

Key Points

• Homes4Life has agreed to buy Crowlands Heath Golf Course from Barking and Dagenham Council with plans to demolish the golf course and build 1,253 homes.
• The site straddles the boroughs of Havering and Barking and Dagenham.
• In a Havering Council strategic planning committee meeting on Thursday, January 22, representatives of Homes4Life presented the proposals.
• Director of Homes4Life Marc Pennick described the proposal as one that “no other developer or housing association has ever delivered in your borough or London before”.
• Marc Pennick described the golf course as “uneconomical” as well as a “private, privileged, underused space”.
• Marc Pennick added that the land will become “free open space for everyone”.
• Conservative councillor Viddy Persaud spoke against the directors and said she “objects” to the proposal.
• Cllr Viddy Persaud claimed she had seen an “overwhelming response” from residents objecting to the proposal.
• Cllr Persaud said: “At a time when councils across the country are declaring climate emergencies, it would be contradictory, even irresponsible to approach a development that removes mature green space, increase traffic and diminished biodiversity.”
• Cllr Persaud continued: “We must protect the natural environment and ensure our residents have access to open, breathing space.”
• Cllr Persaud stated: “Once we start building on green belt, even a little, we set a precedent that is almost impossible to reverse.”
• Cllr Persaud added: “Bit by bit, we lose the very spaces that make our area liveable, healthy and distinctive.”
• Cllr Persaud urged the committee to reject the proposal and described potential approval as a “short sighted decision with long term consequences”.
• Cllr Persaud referred to the land as green belt although the Homes4Life representatives referred to the site as grey belt land.
• When asked about which type of belt the land officially sits in, a Homes4Life spokesperson said the site is designated as green belt but “there is guidance at a national level that we have used to assess the site and we have come to the conclusion that it is grey belt”.
• Fellow Rush Green and Crowlands ward councillor Timothy Ryan (Con) added that he was “very deeply concerned about the presentation” in relation to concerns over traffic and local wildlife.
• In a Havering Council report prepared ahead of the meeting, it confirmed that around 1,253 homes are proposed as well as a sports hall, public open space and a new bus route linking Crow Lane and Wood Lane.
• According to the report, 959 (76.5 per cent) of homes would be built on land in Havering and 294 (23.5pc) on land in Barking and Dagenham.
• A Homes4Life representative confirmed the company has been “working with Transport for London to introduce a new road” that would connect the two lanes and allow a bus to run through the estate.

Havering (East London Times) January 31, 2026 – Homes4Life has struck a deal with Barking and Dagenham Council to purchase Crowlands Heath Golf Course, a site straddling the boroughs of Havering and Barking and Dagenham, with ambitious plans to raze the existing golf course and erect 1,253 new homes. The proposal, unveiled at a Havering Council strategic planning committee meeting on Thursday, January 22, has ignited fierce opposition from local Conservative councillors who decry the loss of green space amid pressing environmental concerns. Director of Homes4Life Marc Pennick hailed the scheme as unprecedented in the borough and London, branding the current golf course “uneconomical,” a “private, privileged, underused space,” while pledging to transform it into “free open space for everyone.”

What Triggered the Havering Council Meeting?

The strategic planning committee meeting at Havering Council on January 22 served as the flashpoint for the contentious redevelopment bid. As detailed in coverage from the Romford Recorder, representatives from Homes4Life laid out their vision before the committee, emphasising the transformative potential of the project. Director Marc Pennick, speaking directly to the committee, asserted that this proposal represented something

“no other developer or housing association has ever delivered in your borough or London before.”

He underscored the site’s inefficiencies, labelling the golf course “uneconomical” and a “private, privileged, underused space,” before promising that the land would evolve into “free open space for everyone.”

Opposition was swift and vocal. Conservative councillor Viddy Persaud, representing the Rush Green and Crowlands ward, unequivocally declared that she “objects” to the proposal. As reported by the Romford Recorder, Cllr Persaud highlighted an “overwhelming response” from residents opposing the plans, framing the debate within broader national trends. She warned:

“At a time when councils across the country are declaring climate emergencies, it would be contradictory, even irresponsible to approach a development that removes mature green space, increase traffic and diminished biodiversity.”

Cllr Persaud further implored:

“We must protect the natural environment and ensure our residents have access to open, breathing space.”

Why Is the Land’s Designation Disputed?

A central bone of contention revolves around the site’s classification as either green belt or grey belt land. Cllr Persaud consistently referred to the area as green belt, cautioning that approving development would set a dangerous precedent:

“Once we start building on green belt, even a little, we set a precedent that is almost impossible to reverse. Bit by bit, we lose the very spaces that make our area liveable, healthy and distinctive.”

She urged outright rejection, deeming potential approval a

“short sighted decision with long term consequences.”

Homes4Life representatives pushed back, describing the site as grey belt. When pressed on the official status, a Homes4Life spokesperson clarified that while the site is designated as green belt,

“there is guidance at a national level that we have used to assess the site and we have come to the conclusion that it is grey belt.”

This nuanced distinction, as covered extensively by the Romford Recorder, highlights ongoing tensions between development pressures and environmental protections in London’s suburban fringes.

Fellow Conservative councillor Timothy Ryan, also of the Rush Green and Crowlands ward, echoed these worries. He expressed being

“very deeply concerned about the presentation”

particularly regarding traffic impacts and local wildlife, amplifying resident fears over infrastructure strain and ecological harm.

What Does the Havering Council Report Reveal?

Ahead of the January 22 meeting, a comprehensive Havering Council report outlined the full scope of Homes4Life’s ambitions. The document, as summarised in Romford Recorder reporting, confirms plans for 1,253 homes alongside a sports hall, public open space, and a new bus route connecting Crow Lane and Wood Lane. Critically, it specifies that 959 homes—equating to 76.5 per cent—would rise on Havering land, with the remaining 294 (23.5 per cent) on Barking and Dagenham soil, reflecting the site’s cross-borough footprint.

This breakdown underscores the project’s scale and its implications for both local authorities. Homes4Life has proactively addressed connectivity concerns, with a representative confirming collaboration

“working with Transport for London to introduce a new road”

linking the lanes and enabling bus services through the new estate. Such infrastructure pledges aim to mitigate anticipated traffic surges, though sceptics like Cllr Ryan remain unconvinced.

Who Supports the Redevelopment and Why?

Homes4Life positions itself as a pioneer in affordable housing delivery. Marc Pennick’s bold claim of an unmatched proposal speaks to the company’s strategy of blending residential growth with community amenities. By framing the golf course as underutilised and exclusionary—”private, privileged, underused space”—the developer seeks to reorient public perception towards inclusivity, promising “free open space for everyone.” The inclusion of a sports hall and enhanced public transport further bolsters their case for sustainable urban expansion.

The agreement with Barking and Dagenham Council signals institutional backing, potentially driven by acute housing shortages across east London. National grey belt guidance provides a policy foothold, allowing Homes4Life to challenge strict green belt safeguards while adhering to planning frameworks.

What Are the Main Objections from Locals and Councillors?

Resident backlash forms the grassroots core of the opposition, with Cllr Persaud citing an “overwhelming response” to underscore public sentiment. Environmental degradation looms large: the demolition of mature green space amid climate emergencies risks biodiversity loss, heightened traffic, and eroded “breathing space.” Cllr Persaud’s rhetoric paints a vivid picture of irreversible consequences, where incremental encroachments on green areas erode the liveability of Havering and its environs.

Councillors Persaud and Ryan voice ward-specific anxieties. Traffic congestion threatens already strained roads, while wildlife habitats face existential threats. Cllr Ryan’s “very deeply concerned” stance on the presentation signals a lack of reassurance from Homes4Life’s pitch, fuelling calls for rejection.

How Does the Proposal Address Infrastructure Needs?

Proponents highlight mitigative measures. The proposed bus route and new road, developed in tandem with Transport for London, promise better connectivity between Crow Lane and Wood Lane. Public open space and a sports hall aim to replace lost golfing amenities with accessible facilities, aligning with Pennick’s vision of democratised land use.

Yet these palliatives have not quelled dissent. Critics argue they fall short against the net loss of expansive green belt, potentially exacerbating urban pressures in a region grappling with population growth.

What Precedent Does This Set for Green Belt Development?

The grey belt versus green belt debate carries weighty implications. Cllr Persaud warns of a slippery slope: approving even partial development invites future erosions, diminishing the “distinctive” character of the area. Homes4Life’s reliance on national guidance tests the boundaries of planning policy, potentially emboldening similar bids elsewhere.

As the committee deliberates, the outcome could ripple across London’s green fringes, balancing housing imperatives against environmental stewardship. With resident objections mounting and councillors resolute, the fate of Crowlands Heath remains precarious.

Broader Context of Housing and Environment in London

This saga mirrors wider tensions in greater London, where boroughs confront housing deficits amid green belt strictures. Barking and Dagenham’s sale to Homes4Life reflects council strategies to unlock land for development, yet Havering’s cross-border dynamics complicate consensus. The January 22 meeting, as chronicled by the Romford Recorder, encapsulates these fault lines—innovation versus preservation, progress versus precedent.