Earlier this week, the Council took part in a productive meeting with the landowner for Arnold's Field, so that we can try to resolve the ongoing issues with Launders Lane.

I understand this summer has not been easy, with a string of fires on the land causing more unnecessary stress and worry for local residents. While we can demonstrate air quality data and comparisons to other areas, the fact is that local residents are the ones who are experiencing this, having to close your windows in 30 degree heat to keep out the foul smells.

So I'm happy to report that after a long meeting between myself, the Council's Chief Executive, Andrew Blake-Herbert, planning officers, the landowner and his representatives, and residents from the local action group, we have agreed a list of actions that both sides will undertake so that we can move forwards on sorting the situation out for the residents.

Members of the Council's planning team were present at the meeting and discussed the landowners future plans for the site.

Planning will be arranging a follow-up meeting with the landowner to discuss their proposals and what documentation and supporting information is needed to submit a planning application. Advice will also be given on how to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment screening option. Hopefully, this will lead to a formal Planning Application being submitted by the landowner.

In the more immediate future, the Council has arranged a meeting next week, between ourselves, the landowner and the London Fire Brigade (LFB) to establish what more can be done to reduce or stop the fires.

There was also a request for further clarity into who has responsibility for evacuating residents if there is a large fire or smoke and pollution leaving the site. As things currently stand, it is up to the LFB to decide whether there needs to be an evacuation, and if one is issued, the Council will step in to assist with getting residents out safely, and setting up a temporary shelter. Those plans haven't changed, and none of the fires so far have caused enough smoke or pollution to warrant an evacuation. Hopefully, if any remedial or safety work begins quickly, then this won't be necessary.

Please remember that, in the event of a fire, it is important that you let the LFB know first by calling 999. If you are close enough to see the particular location of where the smoke or flames are coming from then please also let the 999 operator know (eg. “On the high part of Arnold’s Field”).

You should then contact the Council so we can gather evidence and keep a record of the amount and nature of the nuisance caused and how it has impacted residents. Details of how to do this, so we get a full and accurate record, can be found below.

We have also been asked by the action group to liaise with the Environment Agency (EA) to have the common water course tested again for contamination. This was last done in 2020. We will make contact with the EA and provide an update when one is available. 

The first phase of asbestos monitoring was also carried out on Friday 2 August 2024 in Spring Farm Park, whilst there was smouldering on the site. Further monitoring is aimed to be carried out the week commencing 26 August, and the results shared in due course.

Finally, we have been gathering NHS data to see if there is a correlation between respiratory issues presenting amongst local residents during or immediately after a fire, and findings will be published in the near future.

You can also read a newly published report below, which looks at cancer incidence data from 2011 to 2020 to identify any differences between residents living around the Launders Lane site compared with the rest of Havering and the country.

I'd like to thank you all for your patience once again while we work to try and resolve this issue, and we hope that this meeting will finally see some positive progress. Thank you also to the Ward Councillors who attended the meeting, as well as Margaret Mullane MP for your help.

Best wishes,

Ray

Cllr Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council

As part of the investigation into the potential health impacts of the fires on local residents, the Council requested data from the National Disease Registration Service, NHS England on the rates of three cancer types potentially associated with exposure to air pollution, as well as mesothelioma; a type of cancer usually linked to asbestos exposure. 

The report explores diagnoses of lung cancers, haematological cancers (such as leukaemias), brain cancers and mesothelioma in the population living near to the site, compared to Havering as a whole and England. 

The incidence of all four cancer types investigated amongst residents in the Launders Lane area were reported to be similar to the rates across Havering as a whole. The incidence of lung, brain and haematological cancers in Havering were similar to the rest of England. Mesothelioma rates in Havering as a whole were higher than the rest of England, as has previously been reported by Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

No differences in incidence of haematological or brain cancers (the two most common childhood cancers) were seen amongst young people (aged 0-25) residents near to the Launders Lane site compared to Havering as a whole, or England.

Read the full report

At the immediate time of a fire incident in Arnold’s Field (on Launders Lane), residents should contact the LFB first, and follow any guidance they give on how to protect yourself from any harmful smoke and other irritants/pollutants. This may include remaining indoors and closing windows.

After contacting the LFB, please let us know about the fire so we can begin gathering evidence to support our notices against the landowner.

The best way to do this is to use a Diary Sheet to record how these fires might be affecting you. You can find these sheets on the Council website, along with explanatory information on statutory nuisances. You can then return them to us via email.

You can also contact us about the fires using the Launders Lane inbox, or by calling 01708 432777 during office hours. Thank you to those who have already been in touch.