North Ockendon: row over data centre campus planned on green belt land in Havering

Plans for a huge data centre campus at North Ockendon, on the eastern edge of London, have prompted debate over whether such a large project should be built on green belt land. The topic was reported by BBC News, and we have confirmed the basic facts in Havering council documents. We could not retrieve the BBC article itself, so we have relied on its summary and official materials.

What the project involves

According to Havering council, the proposal includes several data centre buildings, an indoor horticultural facility, a district heating network, an Ecology Park and a visitor centre. The site is agricultural land in the green belt.

An earlier council cabinet document described the scheme as a £5.3bn project on a 202-hectare site. It spoke of up to 9,900 jobs and expected income for the council of up to £13.548m. The company named in the documents is Digital Reef. These figures come from planning documents, not independent experts, and may have changed as the work has progressed.

How the process works

Instead of an ordinary planning application, the council, acting as local planning authority, is considering a draft Local Development Order (LDO). Such an order grants planning permission in advance for a specific type of development. According to the council, it still requires the same level of assessment as a major planning application. The planning authority runs the process independently of the rest of the council.

The public consultation ran from 6 March to 7 April 2026. Residents could review the planning, environmental and technical documents and submit comments. Two events were held: on 12 March 2026 at St Mary Magdalene Church in North Ockendon, and on 25 March 2026 at Havering Town Hall in Romford. Havering's Strategic Planning Committee is due to decide whether to adopt the LDO.

Why it is controversial

At earlier committee meetings in 2024, issues raised by councillors and residents included the height of the buildings, the harm caused by building on the green belt, and security and ownership arrangements. The London Plan says that proposals harming the green belt should be refused unless very special circumstances exist. Supporters point to investment and jobs, while opponents ask whether such a large campus should be built there.

What this means for you

The news mainly affects residents of Havering and the surrounding area, including North Ockendon and Upminster. If the project is approved, it could affect the area (traffic, landscape) and the job market. However, the number of new jobs comes from documents produced by the project's promoters and is not certain. No final decision has been made yet, and Havering council publishes information on its timing.