Council prepare to get LDO Consultation underway - East Havering Data Centre

London Borough of Havering Council has now placed the East Havering Data Centre on the agenda for the Strategic Planning Committee on 3 March 2026.

At this committee, the Council will be recommending to the voting members that the Local Development Order (LDO) consultation commences on 6 March, with just a 28-day period for residents, statutory consultees and other stakeholders to analyse c.2700 pages of documentation, often very technical and not easy for most people to follow.

Multiple requests have been made from residents to MPs, Ward Councillors and members of the Council Leadership, to no avail. Andrew Blake-Herbert, Chief Executive, and Helen Oakerbee, Planning Director, supported by Ray Morgon, HRA Council Leader, are adamant that no longer than 28 days will be given.

Readers, you must ask yourself, why is the Council in such a rush to give only 28 days, when they have contrived with the developer for over 3 years to conjure this Local Development Order.

Registered speakers will be making representations on behalf of the residents at the SPC on 3 March. It will be worth a watch, or even a visit to the viewing gallery in person to watch the SPC in action. Prepare to come away disenchanted with this Council, if you're not there already.

Further details on the documentation and how to respond, and when, will be published separately.