With reference to our previous posts concerning a proposal to build up to 570 homes on land between Emerson Park School and Benets Road on the Dury Falls Estate, Cllrs Gillian Ford and John Tyler (Cranham Ward) and Laurance Garrard and David Godwin (Emerson Park Ward) had a briefing with the company behind the proposal, Richborough, on Tuesday 24 February 2026, to hear what was being proposed.

The same Ward Councillors attended Havering Council’s Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) Meeting on Thursday 26 February 2026, to oppose the principle of any development on this site. Councillor Laurance Garrard spoke on behalf of the Councillors and residents.

Councillor Garrard said, “The proposal to build up to 570 homes on the fields behind Benets Road and Wingletye Lane is a textbook example of a developer attempting to exploit the new ‘grey belt’ classification to build on high-quality, open countryside…The Green Belt is the countryside next door for the population of Havering. Once we allow it to be reclassified based in a developer’s convenience, it is lost forever.”

For details of the Public Reports Pack for the SPC meeting, and a link to the webcast video, visit Strategic Planning Committee Meeting 26 February 2026. The discussion on these proposals was the first main agenda item.

 

By Editor on 27th February 2026   /   News   /   Leave a comment