I totally understand and appreciate the concerns and frustrations that residents have had following yet another summer of fires on Arnolds Field. My biggest wish is that this will have been the last summer where residents will have been forced to stay indoors and shut their windows and doors because of the smoke from the fires.

I do believe that, from the professional advice that I have received, including legal advice, the Council has taken all the steps possible to try and bring this long running problem closer to a satisfactory conclusion. But it should not be forgotten that the land in question is privately-owned, not Council-owned, which means that we are not totally in control of outcomes.

However, clearly from comments that I have seen, many residents feel that we can do more. I welcome any suggested actions that we could and should have already taken, including any legal powers available to the Council.

I can be contacted by email at councillorray.morgon@havering.gov.uk.

Thanks,

Ray

We would like to inform you about a recent development concerning the abatement notice issued to DMC Services (Essex) Ltd (the landowner) regarding the smoke from fires on their Launders Lane site.

On Thursday 25 April 2024, the Council served an abatement notice to the landowner due to concerns about smoke from fires on their site, which would likely cause a statutory nuisance.

The Council has now decided to withdraw the notice, with conditions as outlined below.

The decision to withdraw the notice was made principally because DMC Services (Essex) Ltd has begun constructive dialogue with the London Fire Brigade and other relevant parties.

These discussions aim to:

• Explore measures to prevent or minimise the risk of fires occurring on the site
• Develop a different firefighting approach to minimise the impact if a fire does break out.

Despite agreeing to withdraw the notice, the Council has written to the landowner setting out clear expectations for them to take substantive actions to address the issue of fires on the site. By Tuesday 31 December 2024, the landowner must confirm the steps they will take to abate the smoke. Additionally, any necessary on-site works should be completed by Wednesday 30 April 2025.

The Council reserves the right to re-serve an abatement notice if satisfactory progress is not made. The Council also reserves the right to serve a Community Protection Notice, following the landowner’s failure to meet the timescales set within the Community Protection Warning, also served on Thursday 25 April 2024.

We hope this update clarifies the Council’s position and the steps being taken to address the issue. Thank you once again for your patience and understanding while we work with the landowner to resolve the issue.

In addition to using Breathe London to check on up-to-date air quality monitoring, residents can also sign up to AirText.

AirText provides free air quality forecasts through text messages or emails. Unlike Breathe London, which reports current or past air quality, AirText allows you to plan ahead by offering forecasts.

Email Alerts: Receive forecasts of expected air quality for the next three days.

SMS Alerts: Get daily forecasts for the next day.

These forecasts help you plan up to three days in advance, considering how expected pollution levels might affect your health. This proactive approach can be particularly beneficial for those with respiratory conditions or other health concerns.

Havering residents can sign up to receive these free text or email alerts.

Sign up now

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 continue to build the picture and gather evidence to support any potential action against the landowner.

The best way to do this is to use a Diary Sheet to record how these fires might be affecting you. This is absolutely crucial for any court action to work. 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 by emailing the Launders Lane inbox (please include your street address so that we can map the impact on particular days), or by calling 01708 432777 during office hours. Thank you to those who have already been in touch.

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.