Julia Lopez, MP for the Hornchurch & Upminster constituency, has urgently raised residents’ concerns about a new quarry at Rainham Lodge Farm with Havering Council’s planning committee as they deliberate whether to give it the green light.
Rainham Quarry operators Brett Aggregates are currently seeking planning permission from Havering Council for a new sand and gravel extraction site on the farm. Materials would then be transported down to their main site at Rainham for processing.
In her letter to Havering Council’s planning department, Mrs Lopez highlighted a range of concerns on traffic, air quality and noise with the proposals following extensive correspondence with constituents.
Residents claim that the site could increase the amount of airborne PM10 in the area which could, with prolonged exposure, lead to a number of negative health effects on residents.
The MP has also raised the issue of road safety, with eleven HGV movements up and down the narrow Launders Lane every hour – an estimated 114 movements a day.
Noise pollution has also been raised by Mrs Lopez, citing the use of heavy machinery on the site six days a week, potentially causing disruption to the lives of those living nearby.
Commenting, Julia said:
“I’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch with me to share their concerns about the proposed new extraction site at Rainham Lodge Farm and the impact it will have on local people. I’ve now compiled everyone’s concerns into an extensive submission to Havering Council’s planning department as they make their deliberations"
Back in 2023 when the plans were initially submitted, Mrs Lopez visited the site and shared residents’ initial concerns, securing changes to the proposals which would see the site boundary moved away from homes on Hacton Lane.
