Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that future decisions on AI infrastructure development are supported by adequate environmental assessment and community engagement, in the light of recent legal challenges to major projects.

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that AI‑related infrastructure, including data centres and associated energy systems, is developed responsibly, with full consideration of environmental impacts and meaningful engagement with local communities.

AI infrastructure will continue to be subject to the UK’s environmental and planning frameworks, which require assessment of impacts such as energy use, water consumption, land use, and local environmental factors, including those which will apply through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project route.