Havering Council's Place Overview and Scrutiny Sub Committee is set to scrutinise past regeneration projects to glean valuable lessons for future developments. The committee's work programme for the upcoming municipal year will place a significant focus on Lessons Learned from Regeneration Projects (Placemaking), aiming to enhance the creation of desirable places and ensure growth is effectively sequenced with infrastructure development.

During a meeting on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, councillors identified this key area for future examination. Discussions highlighted the critical need to ensure housing developments are robustly supported by essential infrastructure, a lesson underscored by previous projects where infrastructure delivery has notably lagged behind housing construction. A primary challenge identified is the tendency to deliver property without infrastructure.

Specific examples of past projects where this imbalance occurred were discussed, including the Collier Road development and the Bean Park Station project. In the case of Bean Park Station, while a primary school and medical centre were successfully delivered, the promised train station had not yet materialised. This has been flagged as a crucial learning point for future planning, emphasising the importance of infrastructure being in place concurrently with housing.

The committee also acknowledged the complexities involved in infrastructure delivery, including the significant role played by third partners in the success or failure of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. The delayed delivery of the Bean Park Station, potentially involving external transport bodies, exemplifies these challenges and the need for clear communication regarding delivery capabilities.

Beyond placemaking, the committee also considered the potential for a task and finish group to examine broader housing issues. This group could delve into housing supply, affordability, prevention strategies, partnership working, and support for vulnerable residents, potentially reviewing build-to-rent schemes and acquisition programmes.

Further details on the committee's discussions can be found in the Agenda frontsheet and the Public reports pack from the 15 September 2026 meeting.