Europe's largest data centre could be built in east London

"Formal plans for what could be Europe's largest data centre are expected to be submitted in the coming months, new documents show. Havering Council is set to approve the East Havering Data Centre (EHDC), which will straddle the boundary of Havering and Thurrock, in January. The centre designed by developer Digital Reef would cover 99 acres and the scheme would also include a 279-acre ecology park, which the firm said would be publicly accessible. The council's corporate plan, published this week, says it will be consulted on in the autumn before it goes before the strategic planning committee, made up of elected councillors."

"A local development order (LDO) is currently being finalised, which will sidestep the need for traditional planning permission to be granted. According to the Local Government Association, LDOs give developers the right to build specified buildings on a site. It will give Digital Reef upfront permission in one go. The association says they incentivise development by simplifying the planning process and making investment on a site more attractive."

"However, the move has attracted heavy criticism from residents. Ian Pirie, with Havering Friends of the Earth, said people were angry and frustrated by the LDO. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he could infer the council was confident it would be passed, which indicated they do not care about local opinion. He added: The pretty farcical public meetings two of them, a year ago should have told them that local people were not happy. He continued: We have been accused of being [anti-technology] Luddites, but we simply think this site is the wrong place for a huge data centre. We do not believe that the local area and residents will benefit in any way."

Plans propose the East Havering Data Centre (EHDC), designed by Digital Reef, spanning 99 acres and including a 279-acre publicly accessible ecology park across Havering and Thurrock. A Local Development Order (LDO) is being finalised to grant upfront permission and avoid traditional planning permission, with the council's corporate plan indicating autumn consultation and strategic planning committee review. The Local Government Association notes LDOs simplify planning and make site investment more attractive. The proposal has drawn strong local opposition, with residents and campaigners expressing anger and concern that the site is unsuitable. The council said next steps and a public consultation will be announced.

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