Reframing the narrative to unlock the power of data centres

The UK Government’s aim to lead in AI and digital growth have driven an unprecedented recent demand for data centres. Yet delivery is being slowed by the planning system, energy grid limitations, and other infrastructure constraints. Amidst all this there is an opportunity to reframe the debate, positioning data centres not as faceless “sheds” which consume significant energy resources and employ relatively few people, but as active partners in local communities, offering investment, jobs, flexible spaces, and renewable energy solutions. 

Despite being recognised as critical national infrastructure, data centre applications currently still face lengthy, inconsistent, and sometimes unpredictable planning processes. Local authorities can vary in approach, and as we are all too well aware, projects can stall for months, even years. Political reform presents a clear opportunity to streamline approvals for nationally significant digital infrastructure however, delivery can be unlocked while ensuring that local voices are still heard. 

Communication plays a significant role here. Developers who can clearly articulate the national importance of data centres, alongside local benefits they can provide, are more likely to secure timely approvals.  

Alongside planning reform, the UK government has identified AI Growth Zones as key to supporting the nation’s digital ambitions. These are strategically-located areas, the first of which will be in Culham in Oxfordshire (home to the Culham Science Centre), designed to accelerate investment in AI and digital infrastructure, including data centres. 

The development of AI Growth Zones highlights both the opportunities and the urgency of situation. Developers within these zones can benefit from focused planning support and ultimately streamlined approvals, but only if projects are presented in a way that aligns with local and national priorities. Effective engagement with councils, combined with clear demonstrations of economic, social, and environmental benefits, is therefore essential. 

AI Growth Zones also provide a platform to showcase how data centres can contribute to regional growth. By building in these areas, developers can support local innovation and investment, create highly-skilled jobs, and strengthen regional digital capacity while demonstrating that large-scale infrastructure can coexist with community and environmental priorities. 

Too often, data centres are portrayed as faceless industrial sites or “sheds’ with little tangible benefit to the local population. This narrative is damaging and must change. Developers should now take the opportunity to speak to local communities and show that these facilities can bring real value. 

Opportunities for data centres to be active community partners are wide-ranging. They can sponsor local projects or infrastructure upgrades, work with colleges and schools to provide apprenticeships and permanent jobs. Whilst also making commitments to renewable energy, carbon reduction, and biodiversity enhancements. 

By reframing data centres as community partners which can contribute to wider economic growth rather than invisible infrastructure which acts as a drain on resources, developers can turn what is often seen as a planning challenge into a narrative centred around partnership and growth. 

Over half of the UK’s current pipeline of new data centres is planned for London and its neighbouring counties. Cratus understand that here, planning delays, infrastructure constraints, and community concerns can be the most acute, with a real need for proper communication between developers, local authorities and communities.  

At Cratus, we understand these challenges and our Planning Team is proud to have supported CyrusOne in securing a recent consent for a new hyperscale data centre complex in Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire Despite this being located on a Green Belt site, positive and proactive communication with local residents meant that not a single objection from an individual resident was received.  Furthermore, we have also worked on several recently consented data centre applications in Greater London.  

If you’d like to discuss how we can help unlock the potential of your site and work to ensure maximum community support, please do get in touch.