Could a huge data centre revitalise Ayrshire - or ruin it?

"About 100 hectares (250 acres) of land near HMP Kilmarnock has been earmarked for a technology hub by energy firm ILI Group. ILI says the development would be similar in size to the prison, while the "vast majority" of the land would be set aside for "biodiversity and landscaping"."

"Supporters talk of it revitalising the region, bringing new jobs and investment that would be ploughed back into the community. But the plans have met strong opposition from locals concerned about the impact on the wider area."

"Last autumn, Intelligent Land Investments (ILI) - a company with a background in clean energy development and battery storage projects - announced ambitious plans for a data cluster called the Stoics, spread across sites in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Fife."

ILI Group, an energy firm with clean energy and battery storage experience, has announced plans for Rufus, a large-scale artificial intelligence data centre on approximately 100 hectares of farmland in East Ayrshire near HMP Kilmarnock. The facility would be comparable in size to the prison, with the majority of land designated for biodiversity and landscaping. ILI Group is developing a broader data cluster called Stoics across multiple Scottish locations. Supporters highlight potential economic benefits including job creation and regional investment. However, local residents have raised concerns about the project's impact on the area, citing lack of concrete details about the facility's design and long-term effects. The proposal is in early planning stages with local councils.

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