The Havering Council Strategic Planning Committee was scheduled to meet on 10 July 2025 to discuss several planning applications, including a battery energy storage system, extensions to landfill operations, and a special school. The committee, composed of Councillors Reg Whitney, Chair, Councillor Robby Misir, Member Champion for Equalities & Diversity, Councillor Ray Best, Councillor Jane Keane, Councillor John Crowder, and Councillor Timothy Ryan, was expected to review these applications against local and national planning policies. Members of the public were permitted to report on the meeting, and were asked to advise Democratic Services staff of their intention to do so.

Land adjacent to St Mary's Lane, Ockendon

The committee was scheduled to consider application P1498.24 for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with associated infrastructure. The application sought permission for a 200MW BESS for a temporary period of 40 years on land within the Metropolitan Green Belt and the Thames Chase Community Forest.

According to the report pack, the application had been called in by local ward councillors. The report noted that such a development would normally be considered inappropriate for the Green Belt, and would have a significant impact on its openness. However, the applicant, Clearstone Energy Ltd, argued that very special circumstances (VSC) justified the development, including the project's contribution to renewable energy generation, energy security, and climate change mitigation. The report also noted that the development would lead to a biodiversity net gain¹.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions, including a time limit, a scheme for decommissioning and restoration, landscaping, noise protection, and drainage.

A supplementary agenda item included an addendum report that recommended the inclusion of an additional condition requiring the submission of a detailed Battery Safety Management Plan (BSMP). The addendum also discussed a community benefit fund of £50,000 per annum offered by Clearstone Energy, but officers advised that this offer did not meet the tests of planning obligations.

Veolia ES (UK) Ltd, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham+Ltd,+Coldharbour+Lane,+Rainham+Havering/)

The committee was scheduled to consider application P1633.24, concerning an extension to the operational life of landfill and composting facilities until the end of December 2029, with restoration of the land by 31 December 2031, and aftercare to 31 December 2036. The annual projected input was stated to be 200,000 cubic metres of waste, equating to 1 million cubic metres of waste after 5 years.

The report pack noted that the application was within the categories which must be referred to the Mayor of London under the Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order.

The report stated that the proposal was considered acceptable and in line with the borough's waste management strategy and sustainability goals, as well as the Joint Waste Development Plan for the East London Waste Authority Boroughs.

The report also stated that the item had been deferred at the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 8 May 2025, to obtain further clarity and completeness of the section 106 Heads of Terms² before making a decision, and for officers to provide a response to questions raised by members concerning the proposals.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the prior completion of a legal agreement.

Veolia ES Landfill Ltd, Coldharbour Lane, Rainham

The committee was scheduled to consider application P0718.23 for the retention and continued operation of a compound area consisting of existing gas engines and a leachate treatment plant beyond the end of 2024. The compound area serves to manage the gas and leachate from the adjacent landfill.

The report stated that the proposal was considered to be in general accordance with the Development Plan, including Policy 35 of the Havering Local Plan (2021), which supports essential infrastructure required for sustainable waste management.

The report recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions and the completion of a legal agreement.

Playing field at Balgores Lane, Romford

The committee was scheduled to receive a development presentation on a proposed special school (SEND) catering to the needs of 300 students with complex autism, aged between 4 and 19 years old. The proposed school would be built on an open playing field located west of Balgores Lane, which is currently used for informal sport and amenity by Squirrels Heath Infant School, which is located close by to the south.

The report pack noted that Sport England had raised a fundamental objection to the proposal as a result of the loss of the playing field. The report also noted that Transport for London (TfL) had expressed concern about the level of proposed parking.

The report stated that the key objective would be to create a high quality public school building catering for pupils and students with special needs and disability, within the London Borough of Havering.

The report recommended that the committee is not required to make any decisions with respect to the reports on this part of the agenda, and that the reports are presented as background information.