Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of data centres on the local community near to where they are situated.

Data centres are critical national infrastructure. They underpin the digital economy, support the development and deployment of AI, and are increasingly important to Britain’s economic and national security. This Government wants more of that infrastructure built in Britain, strengthening our sovereign capability, supporting growth and creating good jobs across the country.

We also believe that communities which host major new infrastructure should see a clear benefit from it. Data centres can support construction and permanent jobs, apprenticeships, local supply chains and wider investment in the places where they are built.

In the majority of cases, data centre planning applications will be determined by the local authority, which will assess relevant local impacts including noise and visual amenity, transport, biodiversity and the local economy. These impacts are highly project-specific and will be considered through the planning process. Data centre projects may also seek consent through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project regime, which includes consideration of Local Impact Reports from relevant local authorities.