APRS News
The Climate Action Committee have an ongoing Inquiry into the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres, for which they are taking evidence in October and November. Kat, Director of APRS, has been invited to give in-person evidence to the committee next Thursday, which you can watch.
There are only 10 days left to Object to a 1000MW data centre at Chapelcross, it has a deadline of 29 October. The key to writing an effective planning objection is to refer to ‘material planning considerations’. These are matters that the planning authority can take into account when deciding whether the development is acceptable which includes elements of National Planning Framework 4 and the Local Development Plan. We have written a document to help supporters to object, giving advice and instructions.
On Saturday 14th November community campaigners, organisations and people all across Scotland will head to the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to make our voices heard on AI data centres – we need you to join us!
On 15th September an evidence-taking session was held on the energy use of data centres in Scotland. The meeting revealed that impact on bills is still contested within the industry.
In the First Minister’s Questions on 8th October 2026, Gillian Mackay, Leader of the Scottish Green Party questioned The First Minister on the lack of engagement with communities’ views on data centres.
The Hunterston and Hurlford campaigns joined together to protest outside an event where ENEUS, the company proposing the 500MW data centre by a 900 year-old castle, was touting for business. They had previously written a special message on the sand at Prestwick, just under the flight-path for private planes coming into Prestwick airport for the King’s AI Summit at Dumfries House. “AI? eh – NAW!” it said
Fifteen of the community groups affected by hyperscale data centre proposals have today, on the day the parliament consider the Petition, written to the Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad, calls on the Scottish Government to set out how this pause is intended to work, given live applications remain in the planning system, and asks the Minister to meet representatives from the community campaigns.
Two Committees of the Scottish Parliament are seeking views on the impact of hyperscale data centres in Scotland and are seeking views. Institutions and organsiations are asked to respond to the call for evidence from the Climate Action Committee, but individuals and campaign groups can respond to the short surveys.
Revelations that the 120MW data centre planned for the AI Growth zone at Chapelhall will run diesel generators when temperatures are above 21 degrees have been compounded by concerns over proposals for an extension at an existing site which is operating nearby. SEPA are seeking public opinion on the generators proposed for the DV1 extension, which will only have scrubbers on half of the chimneys, among other issues. We are asking people to respond to the consultation with their concern over the generators before the deadline of 14th October.