Havering Council is planning a single point of entry for developers and investors as it looks to accelerate housing and regeneration across the east London borough.
The proposed Invest Havering service would act as a “one front door” into the council for businesses, developers and investors rather than requiring them to navigate different departments and organisations.
It forms part of the council’s Havering 2040 vision, which includes ambitions to attract private investment, deliver new homes, regenerate town centres and create new employment opportunities.
The council also plans a Havering Growth Company which could advise, invest, enter partnerships, undertake development and potentially act as master developer on major regeneration projects.
DEVELOPMENT GATEWAY
Councillor Robert Whitton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, set out the plans at the London Real Estate Forum, where he told property industry leaders that Havering wanted to make itself easier for investors and developers to work with.
He says: “If we genuinely want investment, the Council also has to become easier to do business with. Investors should not have to work out which of numerous departments or organisations they need to speak to.
“Our ambition is to create one front door into Havering through Invest Havering. Whether you are a business looking to locate here, an investor with capital to deploy or a developer with an ambitious proposal, we want one clear place to start the conversation.
“Behind that front door, we will bring together the right parts of the Council and, where appropriate, our Havering Growth Company, which will have the ability to advise, invest, partner, develop or act as master developer on major regeneration opportunities.”
GROWTH DISTRICTS
The Havering 2040 plan divides its ambitions between two missions. Grow Havering will focus on attracting investment, businesses and jobs, while Build Havering will cover housing, infrastructure, town centres and regeneration.
It also identifies opportunities for specialist Economic Growth Districts focusing on industries including data and digital services, artificial intelligence, robotics, life sciences and logistics.
Whitton says: “We have an extraordinary gateway location between London and Essex, excellent strategic connectivity, significant development opportunities and enormous untapped potential to unleash.
“Havering 2040 is about turning that potential into delivery — building new homes, attracting businesses and investment, regenerating our town centres and creating high-quality jobs for local people and exciting opportunities for local businesses.”
