Response to fires at Arnolds Field, Launders Lane

Response to fires at Arnold's Field, Launders Lane

This page brings together key information and the latest news concerning the land at Arnold's Field, Launders Lane, Rainham.

Here you can learn about the background to the current issues, read the latest public statements and view key documents in relation to the joint work being carried out by the Council with partners and stakeholders.

Background

Arnold's Field is privately owned land off Launders Lane, Rainham (junction with A1306 New Road).

The site was formerly (1960s/70s) legally used for gravel extraction and as a landfill for waste. However, from around 2002 to 2014, significant volumes of waste were deposited there without appropriate authorisation.

Due to the combustible nature of some types of waste (much of which is now underground), the site has been catching fire since 2018, especially during hot weather.

Residents complain about the nuisance caused by smoke, dust and odour from the fires and are concerned about potential health impacts.

In response, Havering Council commissioned an assessment of potential health risks related to the site, an investigation of the soil (and the waste within it) together with the monitoring of gas, water and asbestos, an inspection of the watercourse/stream (by the Environment Agency) for any potential contamination and an appraisal of options for 'capping' the site to prevent fires/smoke and the possible spread of pollutants.

In 2025, the Council formally determined the site as 'contaminated land' under the Environmental Protection Act and is continuing to engage with the current landowner to try to achieve a solution (even if initially temporary) to stop the fires and smoke as soon as possible (preferably before the 2026 summer fire season).

Following the initial research conducted by EPG (Environmental Protection Group) the Council has proposed that a 'cement polymer covering' be swiftly pursued in the portion of the site that had the most fires in 2025.

See further information below on air quality and health and also how to keep updated (via email or WhatsApp) on the latest developments relating to the Arnold's Field site.

Contaminated land decision

Havering Council has formally identified Arnold's Field, Launders Lane, Rainham as 'contaminated land' under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 following extensive investigations.

As the Council stated when we made the first decision in April 2024, the 'contaminated land' status of Arnold's Field (under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990) would be reviewed as and when further information became available.

Since September 2024, additional data has been collated and analysed and has now been considered in the context of the judicial review ruling in June 2025.

As a result, a new decision on the Part 2A status of Arnold's Field was made on 16 October 2025.

The official record of that decision (called a 'determination' in law), the main 'Delegated Officer' report on which the determination was made and all the background documents used in making that determination are shown in the list below.

Contaminated land decision documents

Sign up for WhatsApp updates

To help keep you informed of the latest updates on Launders Lane, we have set up a WhatsApp channel.

It's free to join, all you need it access to a smartphone and a WhatsApp account.

Please note, the Council does not collect any data from those who have signed up for updates.

Email updates

The Launders Lane bulletin is there to inform concerned residents on the latest developments in relation to Launders Lane.

It includes updates on:

site contamination and soil sample testing
meetings with the landowners, contractors and partners
London Fire Brigade (LFB) reports
air quality monitor reports

Please note, we will not use this bulletin to contact you about new fires as they happen.

The LFB deal with fires and the relevant safety guidance.

You should continue to follow the LFB social media channels for immediate information if and when new fires happen.

Launders Lane bulletins we have sent

Statements and press releases

Read all the statements and press releases we have put out about the fires

Public meeting documents

November 2025 public meeting

November 2024 public meeting

November 2023 public meeting presentations and soil report

Health impacts of air pollution on the local population

Findings from the Health Impact Report, concluded in November 2024, informed the decision to identify Arnold’s Field, Launders Lane as “Contaminated Land”.

The short report and full technical report

Work to assess the risk to the health of the local population was informed by a technical group consisting of London Borough of Havering Public Health, Public Protection, Communications and members of the following external organisations.

Environment Agency (EA)

Within England, the Environment Agency have a statutory responsibility for regulating major industry and waste, the treatment of contaminated land, water quality and resources, fisheries, inland river, estuary and harbour navigations, conservation and ecology, and for managing the risk of flooding from main rivers, reservoirs, estuaries and the sea.

Greater London Authority (GLA)

The Mayor of London provides strategic oversight of the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and is committed to improving air quality across the capital.

Imperial College London

The Environmental Research Group at Imperial College London was commissioned by the Council to monitor air quality (PM2.5 and NO2) using Breathe London sensor nodes, advise how best to communicate data to the public and produce two reports to capture how the fires impact local air quality (Report on Launders Lane fires in Havering and ICL ERG Breathe London 2nd Air Quality Report - Arnolds Field Launders Lane Fires - July 2025).

London Fire Brigade (LFB)

LFB provide information and insight relating to fire incidents at the site.

A Residents Group representative

Representative of Rainham Against Pollution (RAP) offering advice on how to communicate data to residents and provide local resident insight.

RAP independently sourced their own air quality monitoring node located on Orchard Avenue. From January 2026 the RAP node will be funded by London Borough of Havering.

Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)

TRL were commissioned by the Council to measure specific pollutants including PCBs, PAHs, heavy metals (Lead and Mercury) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Reports from this work

University College London (UCL) Academic. Previous member, since left employment at UCL.

Previously undertook air quality monitoring in Rainham in response to residents’ concerns.

UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

The UKHSA is responsible for protecting every member of every community from the impact of infectious diseases, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents and other health threats.

They provide scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage, to make the Nation's health secure.

Local air quality

The Launders Lane Air Quality Report dashboard contains data and interpretation from November 2023 to date.

It is updated on a monthly basis.

Go to the dashboard page

You can keep up to date with air quality readings for your area on the Breathe London website.

Monthly summary reports on Air quality between February – November 2023 are available in .pdf format.

View all the air quality reports from this area we made between February and November 2023

In addition to ongoing sampling of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) London Borough of Havering commissioned the Transport Research Lab (TRL) to investigate the chemical composition of the smoke resulting from fires at the site.

TRL produced two reports. An interim report, May to December 2023 and a final report incorporating the entire monitoring period of May 2023 to September 2024.

Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) - What is it, and how does it affect health?

PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometres or smaller) consists of tiny particles (like dust or soot) that can penetrate deep into the lungs produced by road traffic, industrial activities, domestic wood burners and wildfires.

As such PM2.5 levels are more likely to be influenced by fires at Arnolds Field than levels of NO2.

Particulate matter is affected by weather conditions (e.g. temperature, wind speed and direction) and can spread over larger areas and can remain in the air for longer periods of time than gaseous pollution like NO2.

Short term exposure to high levels of PM2.5 increases respiratory symptoms and exacerbates pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular problems increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory crises.

Exposure over the long term increases the risk of developing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and dementia and reduces overall life expectancy.

Further information about PM2.5 can be found on the WHO (World Health Organisation), the NAIE (National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory), and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs webpages.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – What is it, and how does it affect health?

NO2 is a harmful, gaseous air pollutant primarily emitted from vehicles and industrial processes, as a by-product of combustion. London faces challenges with NO2 pollution, mainly from road traffic.

NO2 is generally more localised than particulate matter pollution and dissipates faster.

Inhalation of NO2 can irritate the respiratory system, leading to increased respiratory symptoms in the general population and putting people with pre-existing conditions like asthma and COPD at risk of severe crises.

Children, older residents and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of NO2.

Further information about NO2 can be found on the WHO (World Health Organisation), the NAIE (National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory), and Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs webpages.

International and national context

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) sets limits and targets for levels of air pollution in the UK.

The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes recommendations and aspirational targets to minimise harm to health.

The WHO recommendations are consistent with the most up-to-date evidence about the health effects of air pollution and are much lower than the UK limits.

The harm caused by air pollution is not equally distributed.

Air quality is generally worse in urban areas and the poorer, more ethnically diverse communities that tend to live in these areas are hardest hit. Less affluent communities tend to contribute less to air pollution than more affluent counterparts (eg they are less likely to drive their own car and more likely to use public transport).

Action to control air pollution

The recurrent fires in Launders Lane are outside of the control of local residents, and the Council and local partners continue to work to stop the fires.

The following information relates to air quality in general, as even in the absence of fires, local air quality would benefit from further improvement.

Reduction of air pollution requires the organized efforts of society, individual, local, national and international actions all contribute positively towards incremental improvement.

For more information about actions to control air pollution read a report by the Chief Medical Officer.

Initiatives such as low-emission zones and improvements to the public transport network aim to improve air quality in urban areas.

Individual residents can also help by leaving the car at home whenever possible and not having bonfires or using wood burners.

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