Basildon council urged to approve GBP £1.3bn data centre plan

A proposed GBP £1.3 billion data centre in Wickford, Basildon, has been recommended for approval by local council officers.

The data centre would be situated next to the A127 and forms part of a major development plan, which is expected to deliver a significant economic impact to the borough. The initial construction phase is budgeted at GBP £500 million, followed by a further GBP £500 million allocated for the installation of computer equipment, representing a substantial commitment to digital infrastructure in the area.

Alongside the data centre, the plans include the creation of a 34.5-acre nature reserve. This reserve would expand the Nevendon Wetlands, helping to preserve the existing green gap between Basildon and Wickford, and providing a tangible environmental benefit to accompany the technological development.

As part of the proposal, more than GBP £1.8 million in section 106 contributions have been pledged, with GBP £1.3 million specifically earmarked for employment, training, and skills initiatives. In addition, there is a voluntary GBP £2 million contribution offered for an education fund, further supporting local development and skills growth.

The development will utilise a 'closed loop' cooling system, which means water is recirculated rather than drawing from fresh supplies continually. This design contrasts with some older data centres and is considered a more sustainable approach to managing the facility's cooling requirements, minimising unnecessary water wastage.

Economic prospects

The Economic Development Team at Basildon Borough Council has given its support to the project. In written comments, the team stated:

"The ED team is in support of the data centre development as it could serve as a catalyst for attracting high value, high tech businesses to the borough as well as offers opportunity for skills development and employment."

Support for the data centre also extends to the local business community. The Essex Chamber of Commerce has submitted a written endorsement of the application, suggesting that the project could have a substantial multiplier effect within the local economy.

"We believe this £1bn investment would be good for Basildon's economy and good for the local businesses we represent… Typically, data centres support clusters of IT and tech companies as they establish local supply chains for goods and services, to the extent that for every direct job at a data centre up to five additional jobs may be supported in the wider economy."

Location and infrastructure

John Bourne, from Caineal, who submitted the planning application, highlighted the importance of location in data centre developments. He explained the constraints and opportunities associated with these facilities in terms of infrastructure requirements.

"With every family and business now connected to the internet, data centres are classified as critical national infrastructure because of their essential role in the UK's economy. But there aren't many locations where they can be located - they need direct access to fibre-optic connections and reliable power supplies, for example. Basildon could take advantage of its strategic location to become a powerhouse in the AI data economy."

"This data centre would not only directly create high-value employment opportunities locally, but it would also support wider job opportunities in finance, operations, sales, customer support and software engineering."

The planning application for the data centre is set to be decided by councillors, who will assess the potential benefits and impacts of the proposal. If approved, the site will see both a major technology investment and an expansion of local environmental amenities through the proposed nature reserve.