Fears are growing that a controversial application for a new quarry in Havering will soon return to the Council’s Planning Committee. As opposition to the scheme intensifies among residents of Hornchurch and Upminster, local MP Julia Lopez has once again submitted representations to Havering Council’s Director of Planning, setting out serious concerns about sand and gravel extraction at Rainham Lodge Farm. 

In her letter, Julia stresses that she has continued to receive a significant number of detailed, serious concerns from the communities that would be most directly affected. A full copy of Julia's letter can be found below this update.

Speculation of an imminent Committee hearing has triggered a surge of new objections. Dozens of fresh submissions have been sent to Julia’s office in recent days, all of which she has formally passed on to the Council so that Havering’s planning committee understand fully the strength of feeling. 

Residents have again highlighted major, unresolved concerns: 

• Air quality — dust, particulates, HGV emissions, and health risks to children, older residents, and patients at St George’s Health Hub.
• Road safety and congestion — heavy vehicles on narrow rural roads pose serious risks to cyclists, pedestrians, and local traffic.
• Noise pollution — machinery, vehicle movements, vibration, and proposed early operating hours threaten daily life.
• Environmental damage — threats to the Ingrebourne Marshes SSSI, Berwick Glades, and nearby conservation areas. 

Julia has also forwarded new submissions from Havering Alliance, a campaign group formed by residents of the St George’s Park development, highlighting further concerns over the quarry’s potential impact on housing delivery in the area. 

In her correspondence Julia asks that the Council ensures both her submission and the enclosed representations are circulated to Planning Committee members ahead of any decision.  

She stresses the need for Committee members to be fully aware of the wide range of concerns held by those living near the proposed site. 

Should Havering councillors ultimately decide to approve the application, robust conditions must be imposed, including strict monitoring of dust and noise levels, controls on operating hours and meaningful safety measures on the surrounding road network.