Another data centre has been approved in west London by Hounslow Council, which voted in favor of constructing the facility on a 12.2-acre brownfield site at the Haslemere Heathrow Estate. This decision follows a recent controversial approval for a data centre near Brick Lane, despite opposition from community activists concerned about its impact on the area’s character. The planning committee acknowledged the high energy demand of the new centre, which is comparable to that of tens of thousands of homes, but ultimately approved the project after confirming it would source power from the Laleham Grid Supply Point outside the borough. As more data centres are planned in the region, concerns have emerged regarding their implications for local water supplies and existing infrastructure, with Affinity Water reporting that some data centres may require up to 3 million litres of water daily.
Why It Matters
The approval of data centres in London highlights the growing demand for digital infrastructure as the city remains the UK’s primary data centre hub, accounting for around 80% of the country’s capacity. As of November 2022, there were 99 operational data centre sites in London, with an additional 26 planned. This trend raises significant questions about the sustainability of local resources, particularly as data centres can have substantial electricity and water requirements. The ongoing developments in Hounslow and Ealing reflect broader concerns about the capacity and resilience of urban infrastructure in accommodating the needs of a rapidly digitizing economy.
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