Large data centre could be built despite concerns

A data centre larger than 180 football pitches could be built near the M5 if plans are taken forward.

Express Distribution Park Ltd, which is based in Bridgwater, Somerset, submitted initial plans on Christmas Eve to build a data centre on land between the A39 Bath Road and an existing solar farm east of the motorway, near junction 23.

The plans indicate the facility will cover 129 hectares and could reach up to 28 metres in height.

Somerset Council approved the initial screening request despite local objections, meaning that more comprehensive proposals will now be brought forward by the eventual operator of the facility.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the proposed data centre will be accessed from Bath Road and will require around 500MW of power, the majority of which will come from the neighbouring solar farm.

No detailed masterplan of the data centre has been published, nor does the screening request specify which company would operate the facility or how many jobs it would create.

The plans state that it could take more than three years to construct the facility if approval is granted, meaning it will most likely enter service some time in the early-2030s, long after the nearby gigafactory is operational.

A spokesperson for Lichfields, representing the applicant, said: "As the utilisation and reach of digital technology has increased, so too has the demand for data centres, such that they are now considered to represent essential infrastructure."

Bridgwater Without Parish Council objected to the screening request, arguing the development could exacerbate localised flooding and lead to increased HGV traffic during its construction.

The parish council said: "The scoping documents do not demonstrate that flood risk can be safely mitigated, either on site or downstream.

"The applicant has not yet demonstrated that this location is the least impactful option."

More detailed proposals are expected to be submitted to Somerset Council later in the year.

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