Residents Challenge Green Belt Development Plans
A proposed 600-megawatt data center in London’s green belt has drawn sharp opposition from local residents, who describe the project as a destruction of rural land. The development, planned for North Ockendon in Havering, would convert more than 200 acres of crop-producing farmland into one of Europe’s largest data centers.
The site is designed to house 400,000 square meters of hardware capacity. Local residents have characterized the proposal as "sacrilege" and a "massacre" of green belt land, arguing that it would fundamentally alter the look and feel of the community.
Emma Edmonds, a resident of North Ockendon, told the BBC that most people in the area do not want the development and believe it is located in the wrong place. Danny Leach, another local resident, cited concerns regarding the potential duration of construction, which he estimated could last between eight and 20 years.
Leach also highlighted worries about noise, pollution, and increased traffic resulting from the project. Graham Ford, a local resident, emphasized the rural nature of the area, stating, "This is rural. This is country. Leave it as it is." The North Ockendon Residents Association spokesperson pointed to the loss of wildlife habitats and the conversion of productive farmland as primary objections.
The opposition centers on the preservation of the green belt status and the agricultural utility of the land. TechRadar reported that the developer's own plans state the project will not meet Net Zero commitments, a claim that has fueled local anger over the scale of environmental impact.
Developer Promises Jobs Amidst Carbon Emissions Concerns
Developer Digital Reef has outlined several benefits to accompany the data center, including the creation of 620 full-time jobs. The company also proposed an £11.54 million community payment and the establishment of a 113-hectare Ecology Park.
Digital Reef stated that the Ecology Park would achieve a net biodiversity gain of more than 100%. The developer further claimed that the site would be Net Zero during operation, utilizing "zero onsite fossil fuels." However, the developer’s own planning application contains conflicting information regarding environmental standards.
The documents state that the project "does not align with a science-based 1.5C commitment." Additionally, reports indicate the facility is projected to have the highest carbon emissions of any planned or operational data center in the United Kingdom. TechRadar reported that these discrepancies between the developer's Net Zero claims and their planning application statements have contributed to the frustration among local residents.
The opposition remains focused on the environmental impact and the scale of the infrastructure relative to the protected green belt status of North Ockendon. Residents argue that converting crop-producing farmland into one of Europe’s largest data centers contradicts the very purpose of the green belt, despite the developer's promises of ecological restoration.