Havering Council has officially approved its Havering 2040 Strategy,
a long-term vision aiming to transform the borough into London's Super Suburb.
The strategy, endorsed by the council's Cabinet on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, outlines ambitions to make Havering the premier destination in London for residents to live, learn, and earn, and for businesses to invest, grow, and thrive.
The vision, titled Creating London's Super Suburb,
is underpinned by the principles of Havering First
and The Havering Way.
These principles emphasize place-led transformation, economic growth, and the improvement of public services, while also aiming to protect the borough's suburban character, heritage, and environment. Place-led transformation
is defined as delivering the necessary homes, infrastructure, town centre regeneration, and public investment to support future generations, while also including community infrastructure and designing safer places to foster social interaction and well-being.
Councillor Keith Prince, Leader of the Council, expressed pride in the strategy, highlighting its 16-year outlook and commitment to prioritizing Havering. Key flagship programmes to support this vision include financial recovery, the transformation of the Havering Growth Company, a reimagined Romford Masterplan, and the relaunch of Invest Havering.
The strategy is being developed in two stages to align delivery projects with the budget-setting process. The first stage, now approved, details the vision, values, and strategic ambitions. The second stage, expected early in the next financial year, will outline the measurement framework, key metrics, and milestones. This second stage will provide more targets and detail on the roadmap to 2040, ensuring projects are properly funded and align with the budget-setting process. Initial milestones for specific projects include the Romford Market Renaissance Plan planning application submission by Q1 2027 and the relaunch of Invest Havering by April 2027.
Financial Recovery and Economic Growth
The Havering 2040 Strategy
includes a Financial Recovery
flagship programme. While the strategy itself does not detail specific recovery measures, reports indicate a forecast underspend of £22.8 million for the General Fund as of June 2026, attributed to improved outturn positions and favourable corporate variances. However, the council will still require approximately £54.2 million of Exceptional Financial Support. The council holds £20.2 million in General Balances and aims to increase this to £25.2 million in 2026/27, with earmarked reserves totalling £48.4 million.
To attract businesses and encourage economic growth, Invest Havering
is being relaunched. This initiative aims to directly engage with investors, with discussions underway regarding potential incentives, including a free port
status. Havering is also positioning itself as a potential tech centre
to encourage business investment.
Transforming the Havering Growth Company and Romford Masterplan
The Havering Growth Company
will be a transformation of Mercury Land Holdings, evolving into a modern municipal investment and regeneration company responsible for delivering housing, regeneration, strategic investment, and long-term municipal wealth creation.
The reimagined Romford Masterplan,
led by the Romford Market Renaissance Plan, aims to restore Romford Market as the centrepiece of a thriving town centre. Expected outcomes include reviving stalled development schemes like Waterloo Estate, Hilldene Shopping Centre, and Bridge Close, and creating an environment that draws people to Romford, thereby increasing footfall for local businesses. The strategy also mentions the development of a new Local Plan supported by masterplan visions for Romford, Beam Park, and Rainham.
Balancing Growth with Character Protection
The Havering 2040 Strategy
is committed to balancing economic growth and development with the protection of the borough's suburban character, heritage, and environment through The Havering Way
philosophy. This principle ensures that growth enhances Havering rather than merely changing it. Developments are expected to embed Havering Way
principles in their design. Furthermore, a Green Havering Programme
and the protection of parks and public green areas are part of the Improve Havering
mission. The council's leader emphasized a commitment to providing family homes with gardens and safe outdoor spaces for children.
Public reports pack 16th-Sep-2026 19.00 Cabinet.pdf
Agenda frontsheet 16th-Sep-2026 19.00 Cabinet.pdf
