Editing Upminster (section)

===Urban development===
The parish had three early centres of activity; the village around the church and the settlements of [[Hacton]] and Corbets Tey.<ref name=introduction/> The estates of Gaynes, New Place and [[Upminster Hall]] were purchased during the 17th century by merchants in the [[City of London]].<ref name=introduction/> This caused a significant number of buildings in the town to be constructed or improved.<ref name=introduction/> Upkeep of the three bridges crossing the Ingrebourne were the responsibility of Upminster, as the adjacent Hornchurch parish was in the [[Royal Liberty of Havering|Havering liberty]] and was exempt from responsibility because of its charter. Although the opening of the station was key to the development of the suburb, land was not purchased for development until {{convert|10|acre}} were secured in 1901.<ref name=introduction/>

Electricity was introduced in Upminster in 1926.<ref name=local_gov/> Gas main supply came from [[Romford]] in 1872 and from 1905 there was gas street lighting.<ref name=local_gov/> The area was served by good spring water, with mains supply provided by the [[South Essex Waterworks Company]] from 1836. Works on the sewerage system began in 1899 in Upminster village and Corbets Tey. In 1922 sewage works for Upminster and Cranham were opened in [[Great Warley]].<ref name=local_gov/> Land for Upminster Park was purchased by the parish council in 1929.