Ray Morgon has written a letter for the Recorder, in which he confirmed that recent activity on the planned site for the East Havering Data Centre is understood to relate to “preliminary site surveys” – and “not a commencement of the data centre development”.
It comes after a spokesperson for the council previously told the Recorder that the local planning authority (LPA) knew about “the works underway” – commissioned by data centre developer Digital Reef – on the site near Home Farm, in North Ockendon.
The council spokesperson did not initially clarify that these works were suspected to be for preliminary surveys.
In his letter, Cllr Morgon made it clear the council is “seeking legal advice” on whether Digital Reef should have applied for planning permission for the site survey work, on top of the planning consent sought for the data centre itself.
Cllr Morgon said in the letter: “We want to assure the public that the planning authority has been carefully scrutinising the activity on the site.
“Initial site visits were conducted following a complaint from a member of the public, further details had been requested from the developer and legal advice has been sought to ensure thoroughness.
“We remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of planning and development, ensuring that all projects proceed in a manner that benefits the community and respects the environmental and legal guidelines.”
READ MORE: East Havering Data Centre plan near Upminster gets resident opposition
The council leader’s letter also mentioned that a public consultation will be carried out “at the appropriate stage”, although it is not clear when this might be.
The council is considering whether there is the case for a local development order (LDO) for the data centre.
Planning permission is “effectively granted upfront” for an LDO, according to the council’s website, however the proposals still undergo a public consultation before the adoption of the order.
The council’s website notes that “much of the assessment work is carried out before consultation” for an LDO.
The Recorder visited the proposed site for the East Havering Data Centre on February 14 and saw a digger and several trucks, as well as two portable buildings and a skip.
Digital Reef has not responded to a previous request for comment on its work.
