Google data centre at airfield gets go-ahead

Plans by Google to build a huge data centre at a former RAF airfield have been approved.

The new campus at North Weald Airfield near Harlow in Essex is expected to create up to 780 local jobs and generate £79m per year for the local economy.

Epping Forest District Council's planning committee approved the outline planning application for the project on Wednesday.

Alan Lion, the Conservative vice-chairman on the committee, said: "Google coming here is something of an advantage to Epping Forest because it does provide certain additional benefits."

A report put before councillors said the project would create 780 local jobs, which included up to 200 "direct jobs", and that it would also generate £319m for the national economy.

Google plans to demolish fire station blocks, construct two data centre buildings and separate offices, internal roads and car parking.

Lion explained that the development fitted with the council's strategy and said the employment opportunities were "significant".

However, the council has conceded that the 300 stalls which are usually set up at the North Weald Market may have to be reduced by as many as 100.

The market, which sells items such as clothing, homeware and food, is held every Saturday.

Google paid the council £88.2m for 52 acres (21ha) at North Weald after the sale was agreed in January 2024.

North Weald Airfield is still an operational aerodrome owned by Epping Forest District Council and has its own museum on site. The local authority says it has more than 40,000 movements per year.

The airfield opened in 1916 and Battle of Britain fighter planes were based there in 1940.

Councillors were told the planning permission was subject to Section 106 contributions being made, which have not yet been set out by the developer.

The report suggested it could help fund upgrades to junction seven of the M11 nearby.

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