Havering Council is progressing with its East London Joint Waste Plan (ELJWP), which aims to ensure the borough has sufficient land and facilities for future waste management up to 2041. To this end, the council is seeking an independent public examination of the plan.

The council considered a report on the East London Joint Waste Plan (ELJWP) from Councillor Graham Williamson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, at a meeting on Wednesday 19 November 2025. The ELJWP has been prepared in collaboration with the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham, Newham, and Redbridge.

The plan sets out policies on future waste management and safeguarding waste sites to meet future needs, aligning with waste apportionment targets outlined in the London Plan (2021). The ELJWP analyses East London's capacity for managing various waste types and confirms that the four boroughs meet these targets, with a significant surplus capacity for waste management.

The report seeks approval to submit the ELJWP for independent public examination, as required under Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations (2012).

The ELJWP includes a Vision and eight Strategic Objectives, alongside seven policies designed to determine the suitability of development proposals. These policies also aim to ensure waste management facilities are well-located and avoid significant adverse impacts on local communities and the environment, promoting increased recycling and diversion of waste from landfill.

The policies included in the ELJWP are:

  • Policy JWP1: Circular Economy
  • Policy JWP2: Safeguarding and Provision of Waste Capacity
  • Policy JWP2B: Safeguarding and Provision of Wastewater Treatment Capacity
  • Policy JWP3: Prevention of Encroachment
  • Policy JWP4: Design of Waste Management Facilities
  • Policy JWP5: Energy from Waste
  • Policy JWP6: Deposit of Waste on Land

The report states that East London has a significant surplus capacity for waste management, and therefore does not need to identify any new waste sites for development.

During the Regulation 19 consultation, the council received 43 responses. A table of comments received and the Boroughs' response to them are laid out in appendix 5a of the Supplementary Agenda. Representations were received from various statutory consultees, but these did not identify any grounds which would justify amending the Plan. Brett Aggregates Limited, the only Havering-based land owner who submitted a representation, supported the Plan safeguarding Rainham Recycling Facility but raised concerns about not safeguarding mineral working sites such as East Hall Farm.

The council has a 'duty to cooperate' with prescribed bodies during the preparation of development Plans, including neighbouring planning authorities, the Mayor of London, Transport for London and Statutory consultees. Five Statements of Common Ground are in development to document cross-boundary matters being addressed. These include:

  • Greater London Authority
  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets
  • Oxfordshire County Council
  • East London Waste Authority
  • Legal and General Investment Management

The cross-boundary matters being addressed in the Statements of Common Ground (SoCG) are outlined in Table 1 of the Supplementary Agenda, and include:

  • Greater London Authority: Compensatory capacity for sites proposed for release; sharing surplus capacity with other boroughs (notably LB Tower Hamlets) and how any agreements should be reflected in the Plan; approach to Appendix 4 (Longer Term Development Options) and timing of any future releases; alignment of 'waste site' definition and clarity on implementation of Policy JWP2.
  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets (LBTH): LBTH request for sharing of surplus waste capacity; recognition of historic Hepscott Road (Tower Hamlets) to River Road (Barking & Dagenham) re-provision of capacity; timing of releasing of safeguarded sites via the ELJWP; how IIA tests reasonable alternatives; evidence/monitoring of cross-boundary flows.
  • Oxfordshire County Council (OCC): How future hazardous waste management needs will be met; future management of residual waste from East London by landfill; sources of Energy from Waste facility feedstock.
  • East London Waste Authority (ELWA): How the Plan reflects ELWA's contracting/procurement position; flexibility of Policy JWP2 with regard to provision of additional waste management capacity; how Plan addresses certain potential impacts on the amenity / environment.
  • Legal and General Investment Management (as landowner for Eurohub sites): The safeguarding of existing waste uses on the Eurohub site, in the context of the redevelopment of the site (this is a waste site in Barking and Dagenham).

Should the independent public examination uncover deficiencies in the ELJWP, the Planning Inspector can recommend modifications to ensure the plan is sound. Significant changes, identified as 'main modifications', would require further formal public consultation. The report seeks delegated authority to undertake such consultation without needing to return to the Cabinet or Full Council.