Data centre opposition grows across UK
Oliver Hayes,
Head of Policy and Campaigns
Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Up and down the country, communities are fighting back
In recent months we've seen a surge in activity from community groups rising up to resist the imposition of data centres.
Packed public meetings, protests and press appearances have all left developers and decision makers in little doubt as to the strength of public feeling.
And it’s working.
On 16 September the Scottish Parliament voted to pause data centre decisions until new planning guidance is produced, making Scotland the first part of the UK to have a de facto moratorium on data centre development.
This win follows a flurry of activity from communities throughout Scotland, culminating in a huge rally outside Holyrood on 3 September.
Photo credit: Stewart Attwood, APRS
Photo credit: Stewart Attwood, APRS
Photo credit: Stewart Attwood, APRS
Photo credit: Stewart Attwood, APRS
Some even took to song to make their voices heard!
In England, the energy is just as palpable.
On 12 September, more than 300 people gathered in Leeds to protest Microsoft’s data centre earmarked for Skelton Grange
Photo credit: Alex Guest and The Yorkest
August also saw residents in Brick Lane, East London, ramp up their campaigning after Housing Secretary Angela Rayner gave the go-ahead to a data centre in site of the historic former Truman Brewery.
In Devon, the scale of public concern reflects the vast size of the data centre planned for farmland outside the village of Great Torrington.
On 12 September, residents of data centre hotspot, Slough, were out in force to say enough is enough.
Earlier in the summer, residents in Park Royal, West London, displayed their growing resistance, saying “no to dirty data centres”, with particular concerns about damaging impacts on local air quality.
Potters Bar residents made sure developer Equinix heard their voice, as the community there faces a large data centre planned near a primary school.
Photo credit: Pull the Plug
These are just a selection of the actions that are popping up everywhere.
You can show your support by these communities by signing our petition for a data centre moratorium, and check out whether a data centre is planned near you by taking a look at our map.