Business · Corsham
Construction of major new data centre in Corsham gets the green light
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Work on a significant data centre expansion near Neston is set to proceed after legal agreements were signed, following a period of intense public scrutiny.
A major new data centre development on the outskirts of Corsham can now move forward after the final legal agreements linked to the planning permission were secured. The project, submitted by Ark Estates, is set to significantly expand the existing Spring Park data centre campus located south of Neston.
The scheme involves redeveloping 7.37 hectares of land to construct a large standalone facility. The primary building is expected to offer approximately 27,350 square metres of floorspace and will reach a maximum height of around 18.7 metres. To mitigate the visual impact on the surrounding area, developers have designed the structure with lower sections positioned closest to nearby residential properties.
The path to approval has been far from straightforward. Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee originally granted permission in February, but the application had previously been deferred from a December meeting to allow for more robust scrutiny. This pause enabled further technical work and consultation to address significant concerns raised by the public, specifically regarding drainage, flooding, traffic, and noise.
More than 1,000 objections were lodged by members of the public throughout the application process. Critics of the plan have raised concerns about the potential strain on electricity networks and local water supplies, as well as the impact on local wildlife and the scale of the building within the landscape. Supporters of the project have pointed to its role as essential infrastructure for the digital economy and the cloud computing sector, arguing that it will bring valuable investment to the region.
Planning officers eventually recommended approval after concluding that the technical issues regarding flooding and drainage could be managed through strictly enforced planning conditions. The development, which sits on a brownfield site, is expected to create around 50 full-time equivalent jobs and generate an estimated £4 million per year in business rates for the local authority.
Beyond the building itself, the plans include provisions for extensive landscaping and biodiversity enhancements to integrate the site into its rural setting. As part of the construction, internal roads will be established, and public rights of way will be diverted. The project remains subject to a comprehensive range of conditions imposed by the council, covering ecology, noise management, and highway matters to ensure compliance during the construction and operational phases.
Source: Gazette & Herald — Chippenham · View original