SNP backs a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centre planning applications

In a significant move the SNP National Council have called on the Scottish Government for a temporary moratorium on hyperscale data centre planning applications across Scotland until robust guidance for planning authorities, and research of the impacts has been undertaken. The decision was taken following push back from local communities concerned about the environmental impact, unsustainable energy use, enormous land consumption, and impact on their local communities.

Kat Jones, Director of APRS said:

“Since December we have been calling on the Scottish Government to put in place a moratorium on hyperscale AI data centres until their environmental impacts have been fully assessed, and governance can catch up with the speed this is moving.  

“It is thanks to the campaigns springing up in communities which have the threat of hyperscale AI data centres hanging over them, that the issue is now so much in the public eye and that MSPs and Councillors are really starting to take notice.  

“We are cautiously optimistic about this news and hope that the Scottish Government will make urgent moves to put in place a moratorium as soon as possible and start work on the strategic oversight needed. We want to see work start immediately to ensure hyperscale AI data centres are required to have an Environmental Impact Assessment, that the impacts on communities and the environment are fully investigated, and that proper guidance is provided to local authorities.”

Sarah Matthews of the Wester Hermiston/West Edinburgh Campaign said

“I feel very positive about this step. It shows the SNP are listening.

“Scotland’s national identity is rooted in our beautiful landscapes, close-knit communities that look after one another, and our abundance of fresh water. It is imperative that we fully understand what we are walking into before allowing a speculative developer gold rush to permanently reshape Scotland, while a small number of individuals stand to make enormous profits. 

“A hyper scale data centre in West Edinburgh  (Hermiston) would have huge, wide spread  impacts on communities, land and resources. It is important we truly know the consequences of these today and for years to come.” 

Andrea Cail, Chair of Auchtertool Community Council said:

“We welcome the SNP National Council’s motion calling for a moratorium on all new data centres in Scotland. It is vital that this includes all those currently in planning as well as those being considered.

“The hyper scale 600MW Camilla Farm data centre in Auchtertool, has been submitted as a ‘planning in principle’ application to Fife Council. However, this application raises a number of serious questions as demonstrated by the public response both locally and nationally. These include huge energy demands which cannot be fulfilled by using renewable energies alone as the claim suggests. 

“With no identified operator for this site and no plan of what it will actually be used for, it is likely to ultimately be in the  control of an American tech company. The damage to our local environment specifically in relation to noise, raised land temperatures and destruction of wildlife habitats cannot be underestimated. 

“Our local community formally requests a halt to these developments; a Scottish national debate including the community voice, and a full review of the advantages and disadvantages. Just now it is in the hands of the speculators. “

Tasha Marsden, Larbert Data Centre Campaign said

“In Larbert, the community comments on the planning application for the proposed hyperscale AI data centre closed with almost 7,000 objections which were received in just 3 weeks. 

“I think the scale of opposition from the public is now impossible for those in Holyrood to ignore. It’s clear that concerns have echoed beyond community halls and are now reverberating in political parties and in government. There is cross party support for pressing the pause button on current proposals.”