Lincolnshire, UK– In a significant boost for the local economy and technological landscape, North Lincolnshire’s planning committee has granted outline planning permission for £3 billion data centre project in South Killingholme, near Grimsby. The Humber Tech Park, a hyperscale data centre complex, is set to become one of the largest in Europe, covering a vast 76-hectare greenfield site south of the A160. 

The ambitious project, spearheaded by Humber Tech Park Ltd, involves the construction of a data centre spanning approximately three million square feet (278,000 square metres). The facility will deliver 386 megawatts (MW) of power across three separate buildings, designed to support the advanced training of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. While specifics on the type of hardware used have yet to be disclosed, the centre’s scale and capabilities are expected to significantly advance AI research and development. 

The Humber Tech Park is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the local economy. Once operational, the data centre is projected to create around 370 full-time jobs, with an average annual salary of £50,000. Additionally, the construction phase is expected to generate up to 3,500 temporary jobs, providing a considerable boost to employment in the region. 

In a bid to address environmental concerns, the project includes several green initiatives. The development will feature a district heating unit designed to capture and harness waste heat from the data centre. This heat will potentially be used as part of a district heating network, contributing to reduced carbon emissions and supporting local sustainability efforts. Furthermore, the plans include a 300,000 square foot (27,000 square metre) greenhouse, which will utilise waste heat to grow tomatoes. This aspect of the project is projected to generate up to £3.5 million in annual sales, highlighting the innovative integration of technology and agriculture. 

Despite the projected benefits, the project has faced opposition from some local residents. Concerns have been raised about the loss of arable land and potential impacts on traffic and noise. During the planning meeting, two local residents voiced their objections. Lily Jones, a representative of the concerned community, criticised the development for encroaching on land that was previously promised to remain free of industrialisation. She also questioned the feasibility of camouflaging the data centre with vegetation, arguing that it was an unrealistic and dismissive response to community concerns. 

In response to these objections, Anthony Crean, a director of Humber Tech Park Ltd, emphasised the environmental and economic benefits of the project. He highlighted the dual-purpose greenhouse that would not only contribute to local food production but also leverage waste heat in an innovative manner. Crean reassured the committee that the project’s green initiatives were designed to mitigate its environmental impact and enhance local amenities. 

The North Lincolnshire Council approved the development with the stipulation that Humber Tech Park Ltd adheres to a Section 106 agreement. This agreement requires the developer to invest £12.5 million ($15.9 million) in local community projects, including apprenticeships, training programmes, and educational initiatives. This investment aims to further support the region’s workforce and infrastructure. 

The construction of the Humber Tech Park is expected to take approximately three years. Alongside the data centre, a new electricity substation will be constructed to accommodate the facility’s power requirements. 

Humber Tech Park Ltd’s director, Anthony Crean, is also affiliated with Greystoke Land, which has previously encountered challenges with data centre applications in Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Although these applications were initially denied, they are currently under review by the new government, potentially opening further opportunities for large-scale data centre developments in the UK. 

As North Lincolnshire prepares for this transformative project, the Humber Tech Park promises to be a significant step forward in the region’s technological advancement and economic growth, while also addressing sustainability and community investment. 

Sources

Cappella, N. (2024)  ‘Approval granted for £3 billion AI data centre in North Lincolnshire’. Techerati. Available at: https://www.techerati.com/news-hub/approval-granted-for-3-billion-ai-data-centre-in-north-lincolnshire/Date accessed: 09-08-2024

Gooding, M. (2024) Green light for 386MW data center campus in Lincolnshire, UK’ Data Center Dynamics. Available at: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/green-light-for-386mw-data-center-campus-in-lincolnshire-uk/ Date accessed: 09/08/2024

Gooding, M. (2024) ‘£3bn data center in Lincolnshire, UK, could support district heating system’ Data Center Dynamics. Available at: https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/humber-tech-park-lincolnshire-uk-district-heating/ Date accessed: 09/08/2024