A proposed 50-acre hyperscale data centre on the outskirts of Larbert, Scotland, has drawn significant local opposition, with over 2,000 residents raising concerns about its environmental and community impacts. The planned facility, which would have a maximum power capacity of 300 megawatts—equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of all homes in Glasgow—has sparked debate over its potential effects on energy demand, air quality, and noise.

Larbert, a town of approximately 12,000 residents located in Scotland’s Central Belt, is home to the vacant site identified for the development. Supporters argue that the data centre could help drive economic growth and technological advancement, citing the Scottish Government’s broader strategy to promote artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as key to the future economy. Developer Apatura projects the facility would create 515 permanent jobs in the Falkirk area, including 297 positions directly on site.

However, local residents and campaigners have expressed strong doubts about these employment figures, pointing to the highly automated nature of data centres, which typically require relatively few staff. Community concerns extend beyond employment, focusing on the environmental footprint of the centre. The complex would include 200 back-up diesel generators for emergency power supply, which residents fear will contribute to air pollution through regular test runs. Michael Maciocia, a nearby resident, described the plan as “lunacy” and said the diesel generators would emit “huge amounts of noxious exhaust chemicals.”

Another source of opposition relates to the data centre’s substantial energy demand. Critics like Larbert resident Tasha Marsden highlight the sheer volume of electricity the site would require, questioning the sustainability of such consumption and the origins of the power. While proponents argue that Scotland’s rich renewable energy resources, particularly wind power, provide an opportunity to operate such centres on clean energy, experts caution that the current and planned wind generation is primarily aimed at meeting existing UK energy needs and decarbonisation goals. Keith Bell, Professor of Electrical Engineering at Strathclyde University, noted that the use of data centres to absorb excess renewable power offers only “short-term” benefits due to ongoing grid constraints and upgrades.

The proposed development is part of a broader trend: Scotland currently hosts 15 data centres, with over 24 more in the planning stages, mostly concentrated in the Central Belt. Many of these towns have experienced industrial decline and job losses, intensifying debates about the role of large-scale data infrastructure in local economies.

The opposition reflects wider skepticism toward the tech industry and a demand for stronger regulatory measures. Campaign groups and residents are calling on the Scottish Government to introduce clear standards to ensure data centres meet robust environmental criteria. Although Holyrood has expressed support for “green” data centres, it has yet to define what that entails in practice. First Minister John Swinney indicated that the government is actively considering new planning guidance to balance rapid data centre expansion with national energy and climate objectives.