Rainham Volcano: Council Hinders Cleanup 2026 

Key Points

• Jerry O’Donovan purchased Arnolds Field in east London in 2017 in “good faith,” unaware of its problems as a former illegal landfill site.
• The site in Launders Lane, Rainham, dubbed the “Rainham Volcano,” has caught fire more than 100 times since 2019, with issues dating back decades.
• O’Donovan attempted for seven years to fund a clean-up by developing part of the site but claims Havering Council told him there was “no appetite” for his plan.
• Havering Council recently lost a court battle over its decision not to label Arnolds Field as contaminated, leaving O’Donovan with £55,000 in legal costs among other expenses.
• The council is now backing a temporary measure: spraying parts of the site with a cement-like, polymer solution to starve the ground of oxygen and reduce fires, costing a maximum of £300,000.
• This temporary action will be used across different areas of the site to stop or significantly reduce the fires.
• O’Donovan, not responsible for the original waste dumping, said he was not invited to the council meeting in January when the action was agreed.
• Havering Council stated the landowner was consulted prior to the public cabinet meeting, and his views were included in the report.

Rainham (East London Times) February 11, 2026 – Jerry O’Donovan, the landowner of Arnolds Field in Launders Lane, Rainham, has accused Havering Council of hindering his efforts to develop and clean up the notorious former illegal landfill site, known locally as the “Rainham Volcano,” which has ignited over 100 times since 2019.​

O’Donovan bought the site in east London in 2017, claiming he did so in “good faith” without knowledge of its deep-seated contamination issues that trace back decades. He has spent seven years trying to finance a full remediation through partial development, only to be rebuffed by the council, which he says expressed “no appetite” for his proposals. Recently, the council lost a court challenge regarding its refusal to classify the land as contaminated, saddling O’Donovan with £55,000 in legal costs—part of mounting expenses since his purchase.​

In response, Havering Council announced last month a stopgap solution: applying a cement-like polymer spray across sections of the site to deprive underground fires of oxygen, at a cost capped at £300,000. While the authority insists this will halt or curb the blazes, O’Donovan argues it fails to tackle the root causes and notes he was excluded from the January council meeting approving the plan. The council counters that he was consulted beforehand, with his input reflected in the official report.​

What is the History of Arnolds Field and the ‘Rainham Volcano’?

Arnolds Field in Launders Lane, Rainham, has long been plagued by its past as an illegal landfill, with waste dumping issues spanning decades. As reported in earlier coverage, the site has erupted into flames more than 100 times since 2019 alone, earning its volcanic moniker due to the persistent, smouldering subsurface fires.​

Jerry O’Donovan acquired the property in 2017, stating he paid for it in “good faith” and was unaware of its problems at the time of purchase. He was not responsible for the historical waste dumping that rendered the land hazardous. These fires have posed ongoing risks to the local community, prompting repeated emergency responses and highlighting failures in long-term management.​

The site’s notoriety stems from its accumulation of combustible waste, which ignites spontaneously, releasing toxic fumes and necessitating frequent interventions by the London Fire Brigade.

Why Has Jerry O’Donovan Faced Obstacles in Cleaning Up the Site?

O’Donovan said he tried for seven years to fund a clear-up by developing part of the site. However, he claims Havering Council informed him there was “no appetite” for his plan, blocking his path to remediation.​

This resistance has compounded his financial burdens, including the recent £55,000 legal costs from the council’s failed defence in court. The authority had refused to label Arnolds Field as contaminated, a decision overturned in a ruling that underscored the site’s dangers.​

As a result, O’Donovan remains trapped with a liability he did not create, unable to proceed with sustainable development that could bankroll a comprehensive clean-up.

What Happened in the Recent Court Battle Involving Havering Council?

Havering Council recently lost a court battle over its decision not to label Arnolds Field in Launders Lane, Rainham, as contaminated. This defeat, as detailed in BBC reporting, has significant implications for landowner Jerry O’Donovan, who incurred £55,000 in legal costs—one of many additional expenses since purchasing the land.​

The ruling exposed flaws in the council’s assessment, affirming the site’s contamination status and shifting more responsibility onto the local authority. O’Donovan views this as a vindication but laments the personal toll.

What is Havering Council’s Temporary Solution to the Fires?

Last month, Havering Council said it planned to spray parts of the site with a cement-like, polymer solution to starve the ground of oxygen and temporarily put a stop to the fires. It said the works, costing a maximum of £300,000, would be used across different areas of the site in a bid to stop or significantly reduce the fires.​

The council positions this as a pragmatic interim step amid broader challenges. However, critics like O’Donovan question its efficacy against deep-seated fires.

Was Jerry O’Donovan Involved in the Council’s January Meeting?

O’Donovan, who was not responsible for the waste dumping on the site, said he was not invited to the council meeting in January when the action was agreed. This exclusion, he argues, undermines collaborative efforts.​

Havering Council said the landowner was consulted on the action prior to the public cabinet meeting, and his views were included in the report. This discrepancy highlights tensions between the parties.

How Has the ‘Rainham Volcano’ Impacted the Local Community?

The site’s more than 100 fires since 2019 have disrupted life in Rainham, with smoke plumes visible across east London and health concerns from airborne pollutants. Emergency services have been stretched, responding to blazes that flare up unpredictably.​

Residents near Launders Lane report ongoing anxiety over air quality and safety, fuelling calls for decisive action beyond temporary fixes.

What Are the Broader Implications for Landowners and Councils?

This saga underscores the perils for buyers inheriting contaminated sites, particularly when local authorities resist classification or cooperation. O’Donovan’s plight illustrates how legal victories can still leave individuals financially strained.​

For Havering Council, the court loss and polymer plan signal a reactive stance, potentially setting precedents for handling legacy landfills nationwide.

What Lies Ahead for Arnolds Field’s Remediation?

While the polymer treatment offers short-term relief, a full clean-up demands substantial investment, which O’Donovan sought via development—thwarted thus far. The council’s consultation claims suggest ongoing dialogue, but trust remains fragile.​

Stakeholders await whether this sparks a turning point or prolongs the “Rainham Volcano’s” eruptions.

Detailed Timeline of Events at Arnolds Field

To contextualise the dispute, key milestones include O’Donovan’s 2017 purchase, the surge in fires from 2019, seven years of stymied development bids, the recent court defeat, and January’s polymer approval. Each phase reveals mounting frustrations.​

This chronology, drawn from public records and statements, paints a picture of protracted inertia.

Voices from Both Sides: Full Statements

As per the reporting, O’Donovan stated he paid for the land in “good faith” and was unaware of its problems. He emphasised trying for seven years to fund a clear-up, only to hear “no appetite” from the council, and highlighted his £55,000 legal bill post-court battle. He criticised the polymer fix as insufficient for deep-seated fires and noted his non-invitation to the January meeting.​

Havering Council affirmed the £300,000 works would target multiple areas to curb fires, insisting on prior consultation with O’Donovan whose views shaped the report.

Legal and Financial Repercussions Explored

The £55,000 costs exemplify broader fiscal strains on O’Donovan, including remediation liabilities without council support. The court’s rejection of the non-contaminated label mandates stricter oversight.