Plans for a £1 billion hyperscale data centre in Abbots Langley have been approved by Housing Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, following an appeal against Three Rivers District Council’s initial refusal to grant permission.
Development Details
- The proposed development spans 12 football pitches and is set to be built in a field alongside Bedmond Road and the M25.
- The decision was made by Inspector Thomas Hatfield, who assessed whether the proposal met specific requirements.
Inspector’s Findings
- Hatfield concluded that the proposal represented "very special circumstances" necessary to outweigh potential harm to the green belt.
- He based his decision on government definitions of green belt land being suitable for development.
- Compelling reasons justified a departure from policy on grounds of necessity or public interest, along with environmental benefits associated with renewable energy generation.
National Need for Data Centres
- Hatfield emphasized the clear need for new data centres nationally.
- Greystoke Land argued that large data centres are crucial for supporting economic growth and digital leadership in the UK, claiming this need is "overwhelming," "urgent," and "of national importance."
- The applicant stated their proposal would significantly contribute to meeting this national need.
Local Opposition and Council’s Concerns
- Three Rivers District Council previously refused planning permission due to concerns about:
- Impact on local residents’ quality of life.
- Traffic congestion around Bedmond Road.
- Policies aimed at protecting green spaces near residential areas.
- Reducing carbon emissions through sustainable transport options.
Appeal and Final Decision
- In response to the council’s refusal, Greystoke Land submitted an appeal earlier this year.
- In his report, Hatfield considered all relevant factors, including noise pollution levels during construction, and found no evidence of material increases above background levels during normal operation.
- He noted that there were no objections from nearby residents or businesses regarding noise levels.
Conclusion and Next Steps
- Hatfield determined that no other locations within Hertfordshire could accommodate such a facility without causing more harm than good, primarily due to the need for significant alterations or demolitions of existing buildings.
- Greystoke Land confirmed its intention to proceed with plans once all necessary consents are secured.
- While the company has not yet confirmed when construction will begin, it expects building work to start next year.
- Once complete, the site at Abbots Langley is expected to provide enough power to annually power over 100 homes.
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