A long-term plan to transform Havering into London's "super suburb" has been approved by the council.
The Havering Plan 2040 was unveiled at a Havering Council cabinet meeting on Wednesday (September 16) - one that will "go down in the record books" according to council leader Cllr Keith Prince.
The long-term strategy sets out a vision to make the borough the best place in the capital to "live, learn, earn" and for businesses to "invest, grow, thrive".
It aims to put residents at the centre of every decision and promote sustainable growth while preserving Havering’s unique character.
Cllr Prince said: "This is an aspirational and ambitious plan for the borough.
"We want to do what is best for the borough’s residents and businesses after hitting the ground running in our first 100 days and this long-term plan continues that work.
"We have a number of challenges ahead of us with our finances.
"Ensuring residents have access to homes, jobs and education, plus better infrastructure to support this is a key theme throughout our plan."
The plan introduces several core values, including "Havering First", which prioritises residents and businesses, and "The Havering Way", a planning philosophy focused on growth that enhances rather than alters the borough.
What would be your number one priority to improve the borough long-term? Let us know in the comments 👇
Other values include "Build Havering" which supports place-led transformation, "Grow Havering" which aims to create economic powerhouse zones, and "Improve Havering" which focuses on delivering quality public services and safer, healthier communities.
The plan also proposes turning council-owned developer Mercury Land Holdings into the Havering Growth Company, creating a "reimagined" Romford Masterplan and leading the "renaissance" of Romford Market.
At a briefing before the meeting, Cllr Prince revealed that the council was in talks for a university to come to the borough.
A two-stage approach for the Havering Plan 2040 was agreed by cabinet, with the first stage setting out the vision, and identifying flagship projects that underpin this, and the second stage outlining detailed milestones and budget allocations.
Introducing the strategy at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Cllr Prince said: "This is where we make history.
"Here we have it the Havering Plan 2040.
"Never in the history of this borough has an administration done a 16-year plan.
"I have to say that I am very proud of the contribution that all of the people have made to that.
"What's important about this document is not just what our ambitions are, how we see things going forward, but the fact that we are laying something before the people of Havering and we expect to be held to account on it."
Share