Data centre plans spark local opposition in North Ockendon
Developers Digital Reef propose a large campus on green belt land, raising concerns over disruption and resource use.
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A proposal for one of Europe's largest data centre campuses in North Ockendon, Havering, has met with strong opposition from local residents. Developers Digital Reef have put forward plans for the site, which is currently part of London's green belt. The company claims the development would create jobs and be a sustainable facility, but those living nearby fear significant disruption to their lives.
Resident concerns over disruption and impact
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Residents have voiced fears about the scale and duration of construction, with one local, Danny Leach, stating his property would be "like a bull's eye on a dartboard". He anticipates construction lasting between eight and 20 years, bringing noise, and an estimated thousand additional vehicles daily. Beyond construction, concerns include ongoing operational noise and the strain on local electricity supplies, with some residents already experiencing frequent power cuts. Graham Ford described the area as "rural" and "country" and wished for it to remain so, while Emma Edmonds stated that "most people absolutely don't want this" and called the proposal "sacrilege" for the location.
Ian Pirie from the local Friends of the Earth group criticised the planning process, describing it as "very undemocratic" and noting a lack of public involvement.
Broader challenges for data centre growth
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The demand for data centres is rising, partly driven by the increasing processing power required for artificial intelligence. Construction researchers Barbour ABI anticipate around 100 new data centres will be built across the UK, with a significant number expected in London and the South East. A report commissioned by the Greater London Authority (GLA), titled 'London's Data Centre Future Growth Forecasts and Strategic Insights', highlights critical constraints on this expansion.
The GLA report identifies energy as the "single most critical constraint" on data centre growth in London, noting that transmission grid capacity limitations, particularly in west London, could lead to connection timelines of seven to 13 years. Water consumption is also cited as a "major consideration". A 100MW hyperscale data centre in the UK can use up to 2.5 billion litres of water annually, equivalent to the needs of approximately 80,000 people. Currently, data centres account for about 5% of London's drinkable water supply, a figure expected to rise to 7%.
The report also suggests that high land costs and competition with other sectors in inner London may push new developments towards the city's edges. Professor Liz Stephens of the University of Reading warned that the additional water demand from data centres could strain existing supplies, potentially negating new reservoir capacity, and that Thames Water may be underestimating current demand.
Industry representatives, however, argue that the environmental impact is often misunderstood. Mark Pestridge, chief executive of Telehouse, highlighted that their facilities use closed-loop water systems and aim for efficient electricity use. Matt Evans from Tech UK stated that UK data centres use a small percentage of non-domestic water and that the sector is committed to adopting more efficient technologies. He also noted that the energy used by data centres is now nearly 100% carbon-free or renewable.
Draft London Plan guidelines
The draft London Plan supports data centres in suitable locations, provided that water and electricity capacity is available. It specifies that sites allocated for housing should not be used for data centres, and green belt land should only be considered if no brownfield sites are available. The plan aims for London to have sustainable data centres that support growth in data-driven sectors and AI, aligning with the mayor's climate goals. It calls for energy and water efficiency, innovative cooling, and the potential for heat recovery to warm nearby homes.
Digital Reef, the developer behind the North Ockendon scheme, was approached for comment but did not respond.
Questions this report answers
+What is being proposed for North Ockendon?
Developers Digital Reef are proposing to build a large data centre campus in North Ockendon, Havering. This site is currently designated as green belt land on the edge of London. The company claims it will create jobs and be a sustainable facility.
+What are residents' main concerns about the proposal?
Local residents are worried about significant disruption during a long construction period, estimated to last eight to 20 years. Concerns include noise, increased traffic, and the long-term operational impacts of the data centre, such as background noise and strain on electricity supplies.
+What are the wider issues regarding data centres in London?
A Greater London Authority report highlights that energy and water consumption are critical constraints on data centre growth. Data centres already use about 5% of London's drinkable water, with this figure expected to rise to 7%, and grid capacity limitations can significantly delay new connections.
+What does the draft London Plan say about data centres?
The draft London Plan supports data centres in suitable locations if water and electricity capacity are available. It states that green belt land should only be considered if brownfield sites are unavailable, and facilities should be energy and water efficient, potentially recovering heat for nearby homes.
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