Havering in East London includes Romford, Hornchurch, and Rainham. About 54% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping development on the outskirts of suburban communities. Known for historic market towns and parks, planning balances growth with protection of open land.
In the last year Havering decided 1,476 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 73% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 53% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Havering performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 54.0% of Havering is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to particularly high levels of scrutiny.
Development within the Green Belt surrounding London is highly sensitive and politically contentious. The Green Belt surrounding Romford, Upminster, and Hornchurch constrains development to maintain open land and settlement gaps.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Tidal Thames influence and the Beam and Ingrebourne rivers place extensive areas of east and south Havering within Flood Zone 3, a major constraint on the borough's development capacity.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
Havering in East London includes Romford, Hornchurch, and Rainham. About 54% of the borough is Green Belt, shaping development on the outskirts of suburban communities. Known for historic market towns and parks, planning balances growth with protection of open land.
In the last year Havering decided 1,476 applications which is well above the national average of 988. The approval rate was 73% (slightly below the national average of 88%) and 53% of applications were decided on time, (slightly below the national average of 59%). Stats updated March 2026 from gov. sources. See how Havering performs relative to other LPAs in our LPA hub.
Significantly, 54.0% of Havering is within the Green Belt and proposals in these areas can be subject to particularly high levels of scrutiny.
Development within the Green Belt surrounding London is highly sensitive and politically contentious. The Green Belt surrounding Romford, Upminster, and Hornchurch constrains development to maintain open land and settlement gaps.
In our experience, one of the top reasons poorly conceived Green Belt proposals are refused is causing 'harm to openness'. We can lower the risk of refusal with site-specific guidance. Contact us here.
You can also check whether your land is within the Green Belt using our interactive Green Belt map.
Tidal Thames influence and the Beam and Ingrebourne rivers place extensive areas of east and south Havering within Flood Zone 3, a major constraint on the borough's development capacity.
Where constraints permit, we can develop proposals that manage flood risk thoughtfully to give applications the best chance of approval. Learn more about development risks in flood risk areas here.
As well as acting as Planning Consultants we are ARB registered architects with over 25 years’ experience. We support clients through all stages of the planning process, offering the following services:
We specialise in resolving complex planning challenges through thoughtful architectural design, turning constrained or difficult sites into successful Planning Permission outcomes. Let’s discuss your project.
