Havering Council is set to intensify its efforts to secure funding to address the ongoing crisis at Launders Lane, following a recent council meeting where the issue was debated and a motion was passed to continue lobbying relevant authorities.
The council agreed to support continued lobbying of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Environment Agency, and the Mayor of London for funding, powers, and practical intervention to resolve the long-standing issue. The motion also called for DEFRA and the Environment Agency to treat the situation at Launders Lane with the same urgency and financial support as other serious illegal waste sites, and to take responsibility for the clearance and remediation of the site.
Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of the Council, acknowledged the anger and concern of local residents. He stated that the council would bring the full force of our enforcement powers to the landowner's door to stop the fires and the harm and disruption to people's lives.
To achieve this, the Council is preparing a Remediation Notice, a statutory action to oblige those named to carry out necessary works to stop or reduce the fires at their own cost. The details of this notice are currently being finalised with legal specialists.
The Leader of the Council also indicated that he would meet with the local MP, the Environment Agency, and DEFRA. These meetings aim to ensure the landowner mitigates the harm caused by the smoke and fires, and to secure a properly funded solution that does not burden Havering residents. The motion specifically requests that DEFRA and the Environment Agency provide the same urgency and financial support to Launders Lane as has been given to other serious illegal waste sites.
The history of the Launders Lane site has been a protracted issue for Havering Council and its residents. Following the determination of the Arnold's Field site as contaminated land
in October 2025, the landowner rejected an opportunity for a pragmatic solution in March 2026 by refusing permission for the Council to fund and deliver recommended remedial works. In May 2026, the landowner again rejected a pragmatic solution by failing to provide sufficient detail for his alternative works proposal to qualify for public funding.
The motion, originally proposed by the Reform UK Group, was amended by the Havering Aligned Residents' Associations Group to remove a commendation of the new administration's actions. The amended motion was agreed, emphasizing the council's commitment to residents and the pursuit of a properly funded solution.
