A report on Arnolds Field, in Launders Lane, will be presented to Havering Council’s cabinet at a meeting next Thursday (September 17) after a motion was agreed by the council in July.
The report sets out the history of the waste dump, health studies and actions carried out by the council so far, and next steps in dealing with the issue.
It states that any substantial works to stop the fires “may take 3-7 years”, but adds that an “interim” stop could be achieved “within 6-12 months”.
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The report does not make it clear what this interim solution might look like, but discusses preventing oxygen from reaching underground as a means of stopping subterranean fires.
According to the report, the council has explored “capping the site” to prevent the passage of oxygen, as well as “novel” approaches, such as hydro-mulching and liquid clay injection.
The report said: “It may be that some form of temporary measures (perhaps lasting one to five years) may be achievable to bring in a relatively quick (within one year) cessation or substantial reduction in the frequency of the fires pending action by the landowner to permanently prevent the fires.”
The outcome of the recent legal challenge by campaign group Clear the Air in Havering is also discussed in the report.
The council said that, following the ruling in June 2025, it is “in the process of making a new decision” on whether Launders Lane should be deemed “contaminated land”.
If the site is designated as contaminated, the council will enter “further discussions” with the landowner DMC Services (Essex), before serving a remediation notice – requiring it to take specific actions to prevent the contamination.
If the council decides the land is not contaminated, it will instead serve an abatement notice to the landowner, requiring it to stop the “nuisance” from the smoke and take steps to prevent the fires.
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The contaminated land decision is expected to take place this month, according to a table in the report.
However, the report notes that the “onus will be on the landowner” to take action, regardless of the council’s decision.
The landowner’s view is that development of the site into a plant hire depot is the only “feasible means” to stop the fires, according to the report.
A full planning application has not been submitted but this “could take seven years from the date of any final approvals”.
