Havering Friends of the Earth

Welcome to our little corner of the web!
We are a growing group of Havering folk, who share a passion for the environment – and want to work together to preserve and enhance it. Our next General Meeting dates are:

• 24 February 2026, 7.30pm Fairkytes Arts Centre (Art Room, ground floor)
• 31 March 2026, 7.30pm Fairkytes Arts Centre

Please check this page for any last-minute changes! There's more information about our meetings, and how to find us, on the About page. You can also visit our Facebook group for topical news and discussion.

---

More trees please

At a ceremony on 20 January, contractors for Network Rail began planting new trees at Emerson Park station on the London Overground Liberty Line. This marks a positive outcome for local residents and campaigners, who were angered by the removal of much trackside greenery between 2022 and 2025.

Read more

We all need clean air

Havering Council has published an updated Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) for 2025-30, to replace the previous version dated 2018-23. As part of their consultation process, we've submitted a detailed response.

Read our response

Proposed East Havering Data Centre

Whisper it quietly: there's a plot afoot to build the biggest data centre in Europe, on green belt farmland in Havering.

At the centre of the proposed North Ockendon "campus" would be a vast array of computer servers, to be used for data storage and cloud services. This, together with ancillary equipment such as power controllers and batteries, would be housed in a number of warehouse-sized buildings, some over 20m high. The earmarked site comprises around 190 hectares (470 acres) of land, most of which is currently in arable use (crops) with some pasture, woodland and hedgerows.

Read more

In the Press

Since December 2021, HFoE members have contributed to a regular community column in the Romford Recorder newspaper. An archive of our articles is also available on this website.

Browse articles

In Brief

ULEZ-vous?

The extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to include outer London boroughs has proved divisive, to say the least. Even within HFoE there are differences of opinion, but it's fair to say we're united in wanting to breathe cleaner air.

Read more

Climate change

We took a close look at the Council's 2021 Climate Action Plan. Despite encouraging noises from them in the press (including some kind words about our local group), we feel that their plan should put more emphasis on preventing climate change, rather than just adapting to it. As with previous issues such as air pollution, we need to move forward beyond monitoring and measuring (the easy bits!) toward actively planning, budgeting for, and implementing changes to reduce our Borough's carbon footprint.

Read more

Glyphosate

Together with other environmental groups, we've been putting pressure on Havering Council and its contractor to stop routinely spraying Glyphosate-based weedkiller on roadsides and pavements. We believe this chemical, which is thought to cause cancer, poses a risk to both people and wildlife. This started a wider debate about alternative methods to control weeds, and whether in some cases it would be better to accept and enjoy a natural carpet of attractive and beneficial wildflowers.

In Memoriam

We've arranged, via the Woodland Trust, for five trees to be dedicated in memory of HFoE member Jill Luff, who passed away in December 2023.

Jill believed passionately in the importance of trees, green spaces and clean air for our spiritual wellbeing, as well as the health of the planet. She gave several talks about the vital role of bees and other pollinators, and wrote movingly about the calming benefits of connecting with nature. Her bright smile, warm spirit and positivity are greatly missed at our meetings and events, and above all by her husband, HFoE co-ordinator Ian Pirie.