Around 70 protesters marched through Cardiff Bay on November 12 in opposition to a proposed data centre, days after the Welsh Government decided to call in the application, meaning Welsh ministers will now determine whether it goes ahead.
The demonstration, led by the tenants union ACORN, targeted both Cardiff County Hall and the Senedd. Protesters, some carrying drums, chanted “ditch the data centre, save the park and ride” outside Cardiff council’s headquarters.
Plans and Opposition
Curtis Hall Ltd submitted plans to Cardiff council in 2026 to build a data centre on the site of the east Cardiff park and ride. The proposals have faced months of opposition from MSs, councillors, local residents, and activists, who cite the loss of the park and ride, noise, pollution, and other environmental factors.
Curtis Hall has previously denied the data centre would cause a significant negative impact on the local community and has agreed to find a replacement site for the park and ride before construction, if the plans are approved.
Call-In Decision
A special planning meeting scheduled for November 12 was cancelled after the Welsh Government decided to call in the application. A letter to the council said the case had generated “substantial controversy beyond the immediate locality” and that the development was “of more than local importance,” so it should be determined by Welsh ministers.
Nick Carter MS, who represents the Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf constituency, joined the protesters outside county hall. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “I’m really pleased that the government has called it in. I was worried that it was being steamrolled and that the council was rushing this development, which is just so unpopular with the local community.”
Protesters' Response
After speeches outside county hall, the demonstrators marched through the Red Dragon Centre and continued on the steps of the Senedd, where more speeches, chants, and drum-playing were heard. Esther Jones, 25, an ACORN board member, called the call-in decision a “really positive victory” for the group, but added: “the fight is not over yet – the data centre is still a possibility and the destruction of the park and ride is still a possibility.”
Achsah Duncan, 24, another ACORN member, called the decision a “partial victory” but a “win for the community members.” She said: “We recognise that it is a step in a direction – whether that’s forward or backward we’re not sure but we’ll find out.” Friends of the Earth Cymru and local residents also attended the protest.
Cllr Joe Carter, who has led a campaign against the data centre, said he was “absolutely over the moon” with the call-in decision, adding: “This is a really good day for the people of Pentwyn and equally Llanrumney as well, if not all of east Cardiff.”
The developers argue the scheme will bring investment to the area and create skilled jobs, adding that South Wales has a “major opportunity to become a leading centre for digital infrastructure and AI.” The application will now be passed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales, which will examine it and provide a report to the cabinet minister for local government, housing and planning, Sian Gwenllian MS, for a decision in the coming months.
