The Strategic Planning Committee of Havering Council was scheduled to discuss a significant proposal for a data centre campus in East Havering. The meeting agenda also included details on the proposed development's environmental impact and flood risk assessment.

East Havering Data Centre Campus Local Development Order

The primary focus of the meeting was the consideration of the East Havering Data Centre Campus Local Development Order (LDO). This LDO, if adopted, would grant planning permission for a large-scale development comprising up to 400,000 square metres of floorspace. This would include 340,000 square metres designated for data centre use, alongside 50,000 square metres for indoor horticulture facilities. The proposal also encompasses associated infrastructure such as district heating energy centres, electrical substations, visitor centres, and the creation of an ecology park.

The LDO is being promoted by the London Borough of Havering to address the significant and urgent need for additional data centre capacity to serve the London cloud region. The aim is to provide the certainty and stability required for businesses to invest in the digital economy, thereby driving economic growth at national, regional, and local levels. A secondary objective is to enhance the beneficial use of the Green Belt through the development of the ecology park, visitor centre, and a programme of habitat creation and tree planting, which is intended to deliver significant biodiversity gains.

The agenda documents detailed extensive considerations regarding the proposal's compliance with national and local planning policies, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the London Plan. A significant portion of the discussion was scheduled to revolve around the impact on the Green Belt, with the proposal being classified as inappropriate development. The agenda outlined that very special circumstances would need to be demonstrated for the development to proceed, with the need for data centre capacity and the lack of alternative sites being key arguments.

The meeting was also scheduled to review the comprehensive Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) for the site, located north of North Ockendon. The FRA, prepared by Ramboll, assessed flood risks from various sources, including fluvial, tidal, surface water, and reservoir failure. It concluded that while parts of the site are within Flood Zones 2 and 3, the proposed build zones have been strategically located outside of predicted flood extents, even with climate change allowances. The report detailed proposed mitigation measures, including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and the creation of attenuation ponds, to manage surface water runoff and ensure no loss of floodplain capacity. The development's flood risk vulnerability classification was deemed appropriate for its location in Flood Zone 1.

Further discussions were scheduled to cover the environmental context of the site, including its location within the Green Belt, a Countryside Conservation Area, and the Thames Chase Community Forest. The agenda also included details on the proposed development's impact on heritage assets, archaeology, noise and vibration, soils and agriculture, landscape and visual amenity, and residential visual amenity. An Equalities Impact Assessment and a Health Impact Assessment were also scheduled for consideration, examining the potential effects on various demographic groups and public health outcomes.

The agenda also highlighted the socio-economic impacts of the proposed development, with economic assessments estimating significant investment and job creation during both the construction and operational phases. The meeting was set to consider the implications of the development on local employment and training, with a requirement for a local labour target and social value strategy to be secured through a Section 106 agreement.

The supplementary agenda indicated that there were revisions to be considered for Agenda Item 5, relating to the Land North of Fen Lane. These revisions included corrections to the Draft Design Code, Statement of Reasons, SUDS and Drainage Strategy, and the Flood Risk Assessment. These updates were presented as urgent matters for the committee's consideration.