Havering ranked second most peaceful London borough

Havering has been identified as the second most peaceful borough within Greater London, according to a recent study conducted by property specialists SAM Conveyancing. The research assessed local authorities across England and Wales using four key indicators: night-time noise, recorded crime statistics, availability of publicly accessible green space, and proximity of homes to licensed entertainment venues.

Study Methodology and Havering's Performance

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SAM Conveyancing converted each measure into a percentile rank before combining them to produce an overall score. Havering achieved a score of 56.5 out of a possible 100, which positioned it at 123rd place among 316 local authorities surveyed nationwide. Richmond upon Thames secured the top spot in Greater London with a score of 58.1, followed by Havering. Other boroughs that followed in the ranking included Merton, Redbridge, and Bromley.

Factors Contributing to Havering's Ranking

Havering's strongest performance was in the category of night-time quietness. The study found that the borough had the lowest exposure to road and rail noise among all 32 of London's boroughs. This measure was considered particularly significant for its impact during sleeping hours. Noise exposure was calculated using data from 37.7 million address points and national noise grids compiled by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The assessment combined road and rail noise at an address level to avoid double-counting individuals exposed to both.

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Furthermore, only 1.41 per cent of residents in Havering live within 200 metres of three or more licensed premises. This figure represents the fifth lowest proportion in London, suggesting fewer homes are situated near areas where large groups might congregate after venues close. In terms of crime, Havering recorded 57.3 offences per 1,000 residents, a rate lower than the national median of 71.1.

Expert Commentary on Property Choice

Buyers spend months on the things they can measure, the price, the survey, the school catchment, and almost no time on the thing they will notice on their first night in the house, which is how quiet it actually is.

Andrew Boast, chief executive of SAM Conveyancing

Andrew Boast, chief executive of SAM Conveyancing, commented on the importance of considering noise levels when purchasing property. He noted that while buyers meticulously assess factors like price and school districts, they often overlook the impact of noise on their living environment, particularly at night. Boast highlighted that information regarding traffic, proximity to railways, and nearby licensed venues is publicly available and can be researched before a property purchase.

Green Spaces in Havering

While not a direct metric in the SAM Conveyancing study's final score, Havering features several highly-rated parks and green spaces. These include Bedfords Park, Raphael Park, Havering Country Park, and Eastbrookend Country Park, all of which have received average Google ratings of 4.5 or higher.