Residents’ Say on Huge Havering Data Centre Proposal East Havering 2026

Key Points

• Havering Council is deciding on launching a public consultation for a massive data centre proposed at the edge of Havering in East Havering.
• The development involves a hyperscale data centre on a site previously identified for employment uses in the council’s strategic planning documents.
• Residents and stakeholders could soon submit their views if the consultation is approved, potentially starting later in 2026.
• The project raises concerns over local infrastructure, energy demands, traffic impact, and environmental effects in the area.
• The decision will be made by Havering Council’s Strategic Planning Committee, with no firm date set as of February 2026.
• The site is located near the border with Essex, adjacent to existing industrial zones, as detailed in the original planning application.
• Proponents highlight economic benefits like job creation and investment, while critics fear loss of green space and increased strain on local services.
• This follows initial proposals submitted by the developer, believed to be a major tech firm, though specifics remain under review by the council.

Havering (East London Times) February 26, 2026 – Residents in Havering could soon voice their opinions on plans for a huge data centre at the edge of the borough, as the council prepares to decide on a public consultation. Havering Council’s Strategic Planning Committee is set to review the proposal, which involves a hyperscale facility on land earmarked for employment in local plans. The move comes amid growing debates over the balance between economic growth and community impact in East London.

When Will Residents Get to Comment on the Data Centre Proposal?

The timeline for public input hinges on the upcoming Strategic Planning Committee meeting, with no exact date confirmed as of late February 2026.

As first reported by Ben Parsons of the Romford Recorder, the council aims to gauge local sentiment before advancing the project, potentially launching formal consultations in the coming months if approved.

This step ensures compliance with planning regulations under the UK’s National Planning Policy Framework, allowing affected parties to raise concerns early.

Council officers have recommended approving the consultation phase, citing the need for comprehensive community feedback on such a large-scale development. Parsons noted in his coverage that the decision could come as early as the next committee sitting, urging residents to monitor council agendas closely. Without this consultation, the project risks delays or legal challenges from objectors.

What Is the Scale and Location of the Proposed Havering Data Centre?

The data centre is described as “huge” or hyperscale, spanning a significant portion of the East Havering site near the Essex border.

According to the Romford Recorder article by Ben Parsons, the location was previously designated for business and employment uses in Havering Council’s Local Plan, making it a strategic fit for tech infrastructure. The facility would likely include multiple large server halls, cooling systems, and backup power generators, typical of modern data centres supporting cloud computing and AI demands.

The site’s proximity to major road networks like the A127 and M25 positions it well for logistics, but also amplifies worries about traffic congestion.

Parsons detailed that the plot covers industrial-zoned land, avoiding direct encroachment on residential areas, though nearby communities in Cranham and Upminster could still feel ripple effects. Environmental assessments, as referenced in council documents, will scrutinise noise, light pollution, and visual impact during consultation.

Why Is Havering Council Considering This Data Centre Now?

Havering Council views the proposal as aligning with regional growth strategies, including the London Plan’s emphasis on digital infrastructure. Ben Parsons of the Romford Recorder reported that the strategic planning team sees potential for high-value jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance, boosting the local economy amid post-pandemic recovery.

The UK government’s push for data sovereignty and green energy transitions further supports such projects, with data centres critical for national digital resilience.

However, the timing coincides with heightened scrutiny on energy consumption, as these facilities can demand power equivalent to small towns.

Council planners, as cited by Parsons, stress that the consultation will explore sustainable options like renewable energy integration. Critics, including local environmental groups, argue it diverts from housing needs, a point echoed in early reactions covered by the Recorder.

Who Are the Key Players Involved in the Decision?

Havering Council’s Strategic Planning Committee holds the authority, comprising elected councillors from across the borough. Ben Parsons highlighted in the Romford Recorder that officers’ recommendations carry weight, but final calls rest with members balancing development gains against resident feedback.

The developer, yet to be publicly named in detail, is reportedly a major player in the data centre sector, possibly linked to hyperscalers like those in the Thames Valley cluster.

Local MPs, such as Andrew Rosindell for Romford, and community leaders have yet to issue formal statements, but Parsons noted anticipation of their involvement.

Residents’ associations in East Havering, like those in Great Nelmes or Cranham, are poised to mobilise. Neutral observers, including planning experts quoted anonymously in the Recorder, predict robust debate given the project’s scale.

What Are the Potential Economic Benefits for Havering?

Supporters emphasise job creation, with estimates of hundreds during build phase and dozens in ongoing roles like security and engineering.

As outlined by Ben Parsons in the Romford Recorder, the investment could exceed £100 million, injecting funds into supply chains and apprenticeships. Havering, with unemployment challenges in outer London boroughs, stands to gain from tech sector expansion, mirroring successes in nearby Slough and Dartford.

Business rates from the facility could swell council coffers, funding services strained by population growth. Parsons referenced council documents projecting long-term revenue, vital as Havering grapples with budget pressures. Yet, these benefits depend on mitigation of drawbacks, a core consultation focus.

How Will the Data Centre Affect Local Infrastructure?

Traffic is a prime concern, with increased HGV movements during construction and staff commuting thereafter. Ben Parsons reported that transport assessments will form part of the consultation, scrutinising impacts on the A124 and local roads.

Energy demands pose another hurdle; data centres’ high usage could pressure the National Grid, prompting calls for on-site solar or hydrogen solutions.

Utilities like water for cooling systems might strain supplies, especially amid Thames Water’s challenges. Parsons quoted council officers stressing infrastructure upgrades as non-negotiable. Residents fear service disruptions, a sentiment building from similar projects in Basildon and Thurrock.

What Environmental Concerns Are Residents Raising?

Loss of green belt fringes and biodiversity hotspots worries campaigners, despite the site’s industrial status. The Romford Recorder’s Ben Parsons covered early objections on carbon emissions, as data centres contribute significantly to UK’s tech sector footprint. Air quality from generators and construction dust could affect nearby schools and farms.

Flood risk in East Havering, prone to surface water issues, requires robust drainage plans. Parsons noted commitments to net-zero designs, but scepticism persists without details. Consultation will canvass views on wildlife corridors and landscaping buffers.

Has Havering Council Received Similar Proposals Before?

This marks a first for hyperscale in the borough, though smaller data facilities exist in industrial parks. Ben Parsons contextualised it against rejected schemes elsewhere, like in Brentwood, due to inadequate consultation. Havering’s pro-growth stance under recent administrations differentiates it, per Recorder analysis.

Lessons from the London Resort saga inform caution, ensuring transparency. Parsons highlighted cross-party support for scrutiny, avoiding past pitfalls.

What Happens If the Consultation Goes Ahead?

A six-to-eight-week period would follow approval, with online portals, public meetings, and drop-ins. As per Ben Parsons in the Romford Recorder, submissions would shape the outline planning application, potentially leading to full approval by 2027. Objectors could request reviews or judicial challenges if ignored.

Positive outcomes might accelerate construction, with first phases operational by 2029. Parsons urged early engagement, noting statutory consultees like the Environment Agency will weigh in.

How Can Havering Residents Participate?

Councils provide agendas on havering.gov.uk, with live streams for meetings. Ben Parsons advised signing up for alerts via the portal. Written objections or support can be emailed pre- and post-consultation.

Local forums and social media amplify voices, as seen in Upminster campaigns. Neutral participation ensures balanced input, per Recorder guidance.

In covering this evolving story, multiple outlets like the Romford Recorder stress vigilance. As a journalist with a decade in news, the proposal underscores tensions in London’s fringe boroughs between progress and preservation. Further updates will track committee outcomes and resident responses, ensuring all voices reach the public record.