Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that construction of AI data centres is compatible with energy infrastructure capacity and statutory environmental targets.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires local planning authorities to plan for growth sustainably, taking account of infrastructure needs and environmental impacts. It also ensures planning decisions contribute to meeting statutory environmental targets, including by preventing unacceptable pollution and protecting local environments. Planning authorities must also consider water and wastewater capacity, with the cross-government Water Delivery Taskforce helping to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with growth.

Subject to draft Regulations that are currently before Parliament being in place, environmental impacts, including energy and water impacts will be assessed as part of the overall consideration and determination of data centre projects that have been directed to proceed through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting process.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will further streamline consenting while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.