The Havering Local Planning Authority (LPA) has published formal reports ahead of a Strategic Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday 3 March 2026.
The LPA will seek approval to consult on the draft Local Development Order (LDO) that would enable the development of the proposed East Havering Data Centre Campus in North Ockendon.
If approved by SPC the consultation will run from 6 March to 7 April 2026.
The consultation will give residents and stakeholders the chance to review all planning, environmental and technical documents and provide feedback on the plans before any final decision is taken by the Strategic Planning Committee on whether to adopt the LDO.
The draft LDO sets out the planning framework for a new datacentre campus including multiple datacentre buildings, an indoor horticultural facility, district heating network, Ecology Park and visitors centre.
A Local Development Order grants planning permission for specific types of development upfront, but still requires the same level of assessment and scrutiny as any major application.
The LPA leads the LDO process independently from the wider Council.
Helen Oakerbee, Havering Director of Planning and Public Protection, said:
“On 3 March, the LPA will attend SPC to seek permission to launch the statutory consultation on the proposed LDO for the East Havering Data Centre Campus.
"This is an important opportunity for residents to explore the plans in detail and tell us what they think.
“Residents’ feedback will be used to help shape the next stage of the process.”