Building work on a major new data centre in Wiltshire can go ahead after legal agreements tied to the planning consent were finalised. The scheme comes amid mounting opposition to data centres across the UK and globally.
Critics argue such facilities exert growing strain on electricity grids and water resources while taking up substantial tracts of land and generating relatively few permanent jobs once up and running. Proponents, however, maintain that data centres represent vital infrastructure for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and the broader digital economy.
Approval and background
Wiltshire Council's Strategic Planning Committee granted approval for the scheme in February following a recommendation from officers. The application had previously been postponed from a December meeting to enable further examination of objections, particularly concerning drainage and flood risk.
After additional technical assessments and consultation, officers determined the concerns could be managed through planning conditions and recommended granting permission.
Development details
The development, put forward by Ark Estates, involves redeveloping 7.37 hectares of land south of its Spring Park campus at Neston near Corsham. It will expand the existing Spring Park data centre campus with a new standalone data centre facility, along with energy, power and water infrastructure, internal roads, security installations, landscaping and diverted public rights of way.
The main building will provide around 27,350 square metres of floor space and rise to a maximum height of around 18.7 metres, with lower sections positioned nearest to residential properties. Proposals also feature comprehensive landscaping, biodiversity improvements and sustainable drainage systems.
Public response and economic impact
The application generated considerable public attention, attracting over 1,000 objections alongside a smaller volume of letters of support. Those opposing the scheme expressed concerns regarding flooding, traffic congestion, noise pollution, visual impact, wildlife disruption and the scale of the development, while advocates argued the project would stimulate investment and help safeguard the long-term expansion of the Spring Park technology campus.
Planning officials determined the brownfield location was appropriate for development and noted the scheme would deliver economic advantages, including approximately 50 full-time equivalent jobs and an estimated £4m a year in business rates. They also highlighted national planning policy backing for data centres as essential infrastructure required to underpin an increasingly digital economy.
The approval comes with a series of planning conditions addressing drainage, ecology, landscaping, highway considerations, noise mitigation and biodiversity management.
