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North Upminster
Upminster is a suburban locale located in East London. Unlike much of London, it is surrounded by open green spaces such as Upminster Hall Playing Fields. Upminster is close to Greater London’s inside portion of the M25, more locally Upminster road and Hall Lane are the two parallel main roads running through this neighbourhood. The area is well served with a rail line, as well as a tube station that can get one into central London in approximately 30 minutes.
Upminster is said to have gained its name from the local 7th century parish Church founded by St Cedd. There is currently a Church dedicated to St Laurence which was built in the early 13th century. From 1689 William Derham was the head of St Laurence Church, until his death in 1735. A barn was built near Hall Lane in the mid 15th century that was used to support the Abbey of Waltham. Since 1976, the former farm barn which is next to Upminster Gold Club, is now used as an agricultural museum.
Rector of St Laurence Church, William Derham, was a scientist and theologian combining his passions to write two great works, Astro-Theology and Physico-Theology. Derham is also known for providing the earliest reasonable accurate recording of the speed of sound.
According to the 2011 census, Upminster’s population is 91.6 per cent white British, making it one of the most ethnically homogeneous places in London.
In 2018, Havering Council revealed its list of brownfield sites that could see development action in the coming fifteen years, including Upminster Station Car Park, which could deliver a minimum of 110 homes.
In early 2022, plans for 35 detached homes to be built on a local pitch and putt course were put forward. Permission was granted for the project despite receiving over 800 objections. The scheme aims to deliver four three-bedroom houses, eleven four-bedroom houses and 20 five-bedroom houses. Developer Abbey New Homes, expects to complete the development, which they have called ‘The Fairways’, in late 2023/early 2024 if they get the green light.