*Artist Impression - Wetland Discovery
Reef Origin welcomes the launch of the public consultation on the East Havering Data Centre
The consultation will run from 6 March to 7 April 2026, allowing residents and stakeholders to review the documents and provide feedback before a final LDO decision.
The East Havering Data Centre campus, Ecology Park project will deliver thousands of local jobs, a new public green space, and new digital infrastructure to support the local and wider UK economy.
The proposals include an extensive 113-hectare Ecology Park (roughly equivalent to 174 football pitches), which we want to deliver together with the community using local insights to help inform our final designs so that we can create an inviting, public open space that is fully accessible through new footpath and cycling routes.
The scheme will be situated on the boundary of Havering and Thurrock, to the east of the M25, and will deliver up to 400,000 square meters of data centre space, battery storage, horticulture, and educational facilities, with low-latency connectivity suitable for data-intensive applications such as cloud, AI, and financial trading, alongside robust physical and cyber security infrastructure to protect data centre operations.
During development, the project is expected to support 330 job-years per year, totaling 1,340 across the UK. Once fully operational, it will create 620 new and sustained full-time permanent jobs in Havering, including 350 high-value roles in the information and communication sector. Across the UK workforce, the project will support 1,780 jobs once fully operational. Beyond job creation, the project will serve as a catalyst for economic growth and investment, benefiting the wider local community
News & Updates
Events History
2026
10 February
FoundHer Networking
Meeting
22 January
Havering SME Network
Evening Session
2025
12 December
Holiday Inn Brentwood
Meeting
20 November
London Borough of Havering
Meeting with DWP & Jobcentre Plus
5 November
London Borough of Havering
Empowering SME Growth Network
30 October
London Borough of Havering
Havering Chamber of Commerce
8 September
Riverside
BID AGM
16 July
CEME
Careers Guidance Event for Students & Parents
10 July
BID
Summer Social (Afternoon)
10 July
Hornchurch High School
Careers Fair (Morning)
12 June
CEME
Buyer & SME Supplier Roundtable
5 June
Havering MIND – Sarah Balser
Engagement Meeting (Afternoon)
5 June
CEME
Buyer & SME Supplier Roundtable (Morning)
29 May
Rainham BID
Directors Meeting (Afternoon)
29 May
CEME
Buyer & SME Supplier Roundtable (Morning)
20 March
London Borough of Havering
The Mayor’s Network Event
20 March
London Borough of Havering
Keep It Local Event
13 & 27 March
Local London
Teacher Encounters Events
12 February
New City College
Employer Event
2024
17 December
Harris Rainham Secondary School
Moving On Fair
2 December
New City College
A-Level Geography Workshop
15 November
Bower Park Academy (Empower Learning Academy Trust)
Careers Fair
30 October
Havering Youth Parliament
Engagement Presentation
23 October
Havering Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Small Business Showcase
2021
30 November
Havering Volunteer Centre
Supportive; sees opportunities for elderly digital inclusion and youth volunteering; will re-engage once proposals further developed.
19 November
Julia Lopez MP
Positive on local/national benefits; stressed need for traffic mitigation and environmental links; requested business rate figures and follow-up meeting.
9 November
Thames Chase Community Forest
Opposed to Green Belt development but open to review once detailed plans available; requested outline and ecology park discussions.
8 November
Youth Unity
Supportive; want youth needs and deprivation addressed; further youth engagement and consultation planned.
19 October
South Hornchurch Independent Residents’ Group
Cautious support dependent on mitigating traffic, transport, drainage, and visual impact; requested refined proposals and second meeting.
15 October
New City College (NCC)
Foundry can support student training, start-ups, and recruitment; opportunities to track digital skills, develop Romford “pop-up,” and align with local events.
12 October
Havering Chamber of Commerce (HCCI)
Strong support; Foundry seen as opportunity to grow digital skills/events; plans to present to members, strengthen links, and consider member survey.
8 October
Royal Forces Employment Charity (RFEA)
TechVets programme identified as key for funding and digital skills; follow-up meetings arranged with leadership and need to confirm veteran numbers locally.
5 October
Havering BID (Romford)
Supportive of hub idea for High Street; keen to involve businesses; Digital Reef to share details ahead of BID AGM; BID to link with Havering Means Business.
5 October
Upminster & Cranham Residents’ Group
Councillors welcomed early engagement but want clarity on jobs, power source, visuals, and site; proposals sensitive due to Green Belt and May 2022 elections; coordination with Lower Thames Crossing required.
4 October
YMCA
Supportive of digital training/adult education; further engagement needed on YMCA-specific projects and Community Reef funding.
Show your support
Digital Reef is keen to hear from residents, businesses and organisations who want to show their support and stay up to date with the plans. Click the button to register for updates.
info@easthaveringdatacentrecampus.com
Tel: +44 (0) 844 556 3002