Local leaders in North East England have expressed concerns about the potential overdevelopment of artificial intelligence (AI) data centres amid plans for multiple large-scale facilities in Northumberland. The issue arises as the area faces proposals for three significant data centre projects, including a £10 billion site at Cambois being developed by the US firm QTS.
The QTS development is poised to become one of the largest data centre sites in Western Europe, encompassing ten buildings over 133 acres with a total floor space of up to 540,000 square meters. In addition, Wansbeck Regeneration has submitted plans for a £3.8 billion data centre at West Sleekburn, while another application at Factory Road in Cambois is at an earlier stage.
Northumberland County Council leader Glen Sanderson acknowledged the economic benefits these investments could bring, noting that the £10 billion Cambois project will channel £110 million into a local growth fund. However, Sanderson also warned that there is a limit to the number of data centres the county can accommodate without negative consequences. He drew parallels to a decade-old surge in wind farm applications that led to concerns about overdevelopment and regulatory restrictions.
“There is a limit to how many data centres could be put in Northumberland,” Sanderson said, emphasizing that while the council welcomes investment, it must be balanced against environmental and community considerations. He added that the council would carefully review current applications and sought to avoid development “at any cost.”
Local residents have voiced opposition to the proposals, holding demonstrations against the rapid expansion of data centres in the region. Meanwhile, Blyth and Ashington Member of Parliament Ian Lavery has called in Parliament for a moratorium on further data centre construction to allow time for assessment of impacts.
Concerns over data centre proliferation nationally have centered on the substantial land, water, and energy resources these facilities require. These practical considerations have been compounded by broader societal debates about artificial intelligence’s potential risks.
At the regional level, Mayor Kim McGuinness and North East council leaders are preparing to approve multi-million-pound plans to stimulate the AI sector. The North East was named an AI Growth Zone by the UK government last year, with promises of 5,000 new jobs and £30 billion in investment. On Tuesday, McGuinness’s cabinet is expected to endorse a £5 million public investment package to unlock a government grant. Part of this funding will support initiatives such as AI skills training for primary school students.
The mayoral authority will also develop a data centre strategy aimed at establishing clear criteria for approving future developments. The strategy seeks to balance attracting strategically important investments with mitigating the environmental footprint and preserving land for potentially more labour-intensive industries. A report to the mayor and cabinet highlights the need to weigh ongoing employment opportunities and business rate revenues against the high energy and water demands of these projects.
Officials hope this strategic approach will maximize benefits to the region, including bolstering local supply chains, enhancing social outcomes, and improving access to AI computing power for North East businesses and residents.