Angela Rayner pushes through controversial data centre on greenbelt land
- Angela Rayner overturned a previous council decision to block a data centre development on greenbelt land, citing its potential economic benefits.
- The data centre, costing £670 million, is expected to create around 290 jobs and serve critical NHS and financial data needs.
- The decision aligns with Labour's goal to encourage development despite local opposition, which may reshape planning policies.
In October 2023, the Conservative-run Buckinghamshire County Council declined plans for a data centre on greenbelt land, deeming it inappropriate development that would negatively affect the area's landscape character and appearance. However, in a notable reversal, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner granted approval for the project, entailing a £670 million investment aimed at housing sensitive NHS and financial information. This decision was partly influenced by the government's recent classification of data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, allowing previously blocked projects to be reconsidered in light of rising demands. Those backing the project, including Affinius Capital, argued it could significantly enhance the local economy and generate hundreds of jobs, estimated around 290 positions. Supporters, including Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, stated that the need for data centre space in the UK is acute, suggesting that denying such developments would harm the digital economy. The ruling emphasized that the environmental impact on the Green Belt was outweighed by economic considerations that warranted the project's approval, marking a shift in planning policy preferences. This pattern reflects Labour’s broader strategy under Keir Starmer to prioritize development and send a message against local resistance movements, commonly referred to as NIMBYism (Not In My Back Yard). Parallel developments showed Rayner's push for building a 'super-prison' on greenbelt land, indicating a trend toward utilizing protected areas for critical infrastructure amidst growing public concerns regarding prison overcrowding. The Ministry of Justice's urgent need for more prison spaces, particularly after previous early releases of inmates, reflects the struggling state of the prison system. Consequently, the approved “super-prison” - housing up to 1,700 inmates - faced local opposition due to fears of incarceration rates outpacing village populations. The lasting implications of these decisions will require careful monitoring as the government endeavors to balance infrastructure demands against community interests and environmental concerns, ensuring that growth does not come at the expense of locality and sustainability.