Havering has set out its ambition to become a major destination for investment, development and new businesses as part of its new Havering 2040 – Creating London’s Super Suburb vision.
Councillor Robert Whitton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, represented Havering earlier this month at the London Real Estate Forum 2026 at Guildhall, speaking on the Local London panel, Delivering the Capital’s Next Wave of Growth.
The event brought together local authorities, investors, developers and property industry leaders to discuss opportunities for housing, commercial development, infrastructure and economic growth across northeast and southeast London.
Councillor Whitton used the event to outline the new administration’s Havering 2040 ambitions and its determination to attract private investment, new businesses and accelerate regeneration across the Borough.
Councillor Whitton said:
“Our message to investors, developers and businesses is very simple: Havering is open for business.
“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.
“But 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.
“Come to Havering with ambition. Come and talk to us early. We want to work with people who can help us build the next chapter of the Borough.”
The Havering Plan 2040 sets out two complementary growth missions. Grow Havering will focus on attracting investment, businesses and jobs, while Build Havering will focus on delivering the homes, infrastructure, town centres and regeneration needed to support the Borough’s future.
The Plan also identifies opportunities to develop specialist Economic Growth Districts with a focus on sectors including data and digital services, artificial intelligence, robotics, life sciences and logistics.
Councillor Whitton added:
“For too long outer London has sometimes been regarded primarily as somewhere people commute from. Our ambition is different.
“We want people to live, learn and earn in Havering — and businesses to invest, grow and thrive here.
“We want Havering to be recognised not simply as the edge of London, but as London’s gateway to the South-East and London’s Super Suburb.”
The London Real Estate Forum brought together public and private sector leaders from across the capital. The Local London area covers nine Boroughs, around 40% of London’s land area and approximately 55% of its developable land, with its Investment Prospectus showcasing opportunities ranging from £30 million to more than £960 million.
