The UK's ambition to become an AI superpower is clashing with local communities and environmental concerns, as plans for new data centres face growing opposition. These facilities, essential for powering artificial intelligence, demand vast amounts of energy, water, and land, leading to significant strain on resources and rural landscapes. The resulting backlash highlights a critical need for a more sustainable approach to digital infrastructure development.
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Britain's drive to lead in artificial intelligence is creating an unprecedented demand for computing power, necessitating a rapid expansion of data centre infrastructure. This push is seen as vital for economic growth and technological advancement.
The push for AI infrastructure in the UK
The UK government has set an ambitious target to expand national compute infrastructure, aiming for at least 6.3 gigawatts of AI-capable data centre capacity by 2030. This target represents a more than double increase over the UK's current estimated capacity and signals a significant shift towards supporting large-scale AI applications with specialised infrastructure. Data centres were designated as critical national infrastructure (CNI) in 2024, placing them on par with essential services like water and energy.
Projected energy needs for future computing power
Meeting the 6.3 GW target by 2030 will require hundreds of new server farms. The energy consumption of AI-focused data centres is substantial; a typical facility can use a significant amount of electricity, with the largest consuming vast quantities. This surge in demand has led to concerns about the UK's ability to provide sufficient clean power. Ofgem, the energy regulator, noted that 315 data centres are waiting to join the National Grid, collectively requiring 73GW of energy. For context, Britain's total electricity demand peaked at 45GW.
The scale of new server farms required
The sheer number and size of these proposed developments are a major point of contention. Estimates suggest hundreds of new UK data centres are planned by 2030. These facilities are often large industrial warehouses, some up to 40 metres high, covering vast areas of land. The physical footprint alone can exceed 500 acres, leading to significant land scarcity issues.
The rapid proliferation of data centres brings with it substantial environmental challenges, particularly concerning energy, water, and land resources.
Data centres' immense energy consumption and National Grid strain
Data centres are significant consumers of electricity, and their growing numbers are placing considerable strain on the National Grid. If clean power growth does not keep pace, some warn this could prolong the use of gas power or even necessitate on-site gas generation for these facilities. The government's own estimates for the carbon impact of the planned AI buildout range from 34 million to 123 million tonnes of CO₂ between 2025 and 2035.
Water scarcity and data centre cooling requirements
Cooling systems are essential for data centres to prevent overheating, and these often require substantial amounts of water. Data centres already use more than 14 million litres of water a day in the UK. Concerns remain about localised water stress and the sheer volume of water consumed by individual large facilities. Roger Mortlock, CEO of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), highlighted that "A site the size of 500 football pitches and with buildings as tall as Exeter Cathedral, [the data centre] would guzzle unfathomable amounts of energy and water - and be visible for miles around."
Loss of agricultural land and food security concerns
The construction of large data centres often encroaches on valuable agricultural land, raising alarms about food security. Fifth-generation farmer Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin warned, "Food security is national security, and losing good agricultural land on this scale should concern everyone." CPRE reports that data centres built in countryside locations can destroy landscapes and remove land from food production.
Visible impact on rural landscapes
Beyond resource consumption, the physical presence of these large, industrial-scale buildings in rural areas is a significant concern. They are often described as "monstrous megaliths" that can dominate the local landscape and be visible for miles around. This visual impact contributes to the erosion of rural character and amenity.
The environmental and social impacts of data centre expansion have galvanised strong opposition from local communities and attracted support from high-profile figures.
Local communities uniting against developments
Across the UK, residents are uniting to fight proposed data centre developments. These grassroots campaigns often highlight concerns about noise, light pollution, increased traffic, and the irreversible alteration of their local environment. Public meetings opposing projects have seen hundreds of attendees, demonstrating the depth of local feeling.
Celebrity involvement in environmental activism
The issue has also garnered attention from celebrities. Country music star Willie Nelson, a long-time environmental activist, has spoken out against data centres, stating, "The last thing we need is a loud, water-thieving, light polluting data centre anywhere near our town, or any others for that matter." He emphasised that the strength of rural communities comes from people, open spaces, and a connection to the land, not large industrial footprints.1
Case study: opposition in North Devon and Great Torrington
In North Devon, plans for a massive AI data campus near Great Torrington, proposed by energy infrastructure company Xlinks, have triggered a furious response. Campaigners describe the project, which would be the largest of its kind in Europe and cover over 850 acres of agricultural land, as a "monstrous megalith" that would devastate the countryside and consume vast amounts of energy and water.
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References
- Daily Express. Data centres backlash: Celebrities join fight against UK expansion
