Data centre expansion sparks community and

The UK's growing number of data centres is prompting worries about their impact on local communities and the environment. According to recent Senedd research, most jobs in the UK are now reliant on these facilities, which the government classifies as critical national infrastructure.

For residents like Amanda Young in Newport, the reality is a large data centre overlooking her garden. She said her biggest concerns are the noise, the visual impact, and whether it will affect house prices. Anthony, a neighbour, said the construction takes away the neighbourhood's peace due to noise and extra traffic. A Vantage Data Center spokesperson said the company is committed to being a good neighbour and works with local authorities to manage construction impacts.

Local opposition and planning debates

In Cardiff, a proposal to build a data centre campus on the site of the Cardiff East Park & Ride has sparked a campaign. Sue Elias, who uses the service to reach the University Hospital of Wales, said the park-and-ride is essential. She argued there should be a pause to consider the most responsible sites. The Cardiff and Vale University Health Board said it is committed to finding a suitable alternative location for the transport link.

Local campaigner Lizzie Bailey called the planned data centre an environmental nightmare, citing concerns over diesel generators, noise, and cooling fans. The company behind the plans, Curtis Hall Ltd, said the development would not strain the energy grid or water infrastructure and that a detailed noise impact assessment concluded it would not adversely affect the nearest homes.

Resource demands and calls for a pause

Data centres require significant resources. Water UK estimates they use approximately 6.6 million litres of water daily, equivalent to the usage of 20,000 average homes. Ofgem reported that electricity requests from data centre projects seeking grid connection rose from 41GW to 125GW in the past year.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for a freeze on approving new data centres in England, urging stricter environmental rules and more community say. The environmental group Friends of the Earth is calling for a UK-wide pause until clear rules are set on energy and water use. Kierra Box from the group said governments need to determine the impact of these centres on the environment and communities.

The case for development

Tech founder Mark John, co-founder of Tramshed Tech, argued that data centres and AI infrastructure offer Wales an opportunity to reimagine itself, calling them the forefront of a new Industrial Revolution. He said data centres are necessary to unlock AI capability in the region.

The UK government stated that many newer data centres use advanced cooling systems that reduce water consumption and operate under energy efficiency agreements. It added that planning applications must consider community and environmental impact, and the government aims to enable development by building clean power. The Welsh government said any proposed development remains subject to the existing planning system and environmental regulation.

Professor Alan Brown from the University of Exeter said authorities should be more engaged with communities about data centre construction to address worries that residents get all the pain and none of the benefit.