MP urges Prime Minister to block further data centre developments in Blyth and Ashington
A Northumberland MP has called on the Prime Minister to issue a moratorium on the development of data centres in his constituency.
Last month, plans were revealed for what would be a third facility within a few square miles at Factory Road in Cambois.
It follows the much-heralded QTS scheme at Cambois, where construction is already underway, as well as another scheme at West Sleekburn.
Residents have raised concerns about over-development while leading councillors have called on developers to engage with the council or “clear off”.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Blyth and Ashington MP Ian Lavery said the land could be better used for other industries that provide more employment for local residents.
Mr Lavery also called on Andy Burnham to pause further development until regulation can “catch up”.
Mr Lavery said: “With tech billionaires driving the deployment of AI, many of my constituents are concerned about job losses, misinformation and the infrastructure needed to support this technology.
"In Sleekburn and Cambois three vast – and I mean vast – data centres are proposed on scarce industrial land that could be used for other industries that create far more local jobs.
“Communities are being asked to give up valuable land and suffer local disruption. Will the Prime Minister support a moratorium on future data centres until regulation catches up and introduce a Critical National Infrastructure Levy so host communities share in the rewards, and will he visit my constituency to hear local people’s concerns for himself?”
Constituents are reportedly concerned that AI could lead to job losses and further misinformation, while there are also fears about the significant resources needed for the infrastructure the technology needs.
Mr Lavery felt a “critical infrastructure levy” could be used to fund training and jobs so that productivity gains are shared with local residents.
Responding, Mr Burnham declined to issue a moratorium and said data centres had the capacity to bring in additional outside investment.
He said: “I understand the concern that he’s raising about data centres, but I have to say to him at this point, I won’t go as far as a moratorium. I will agree that it is important that communities see the benefits of AI and data centre investment.
“I can speak to him from experience that the data centre itself can be the magnet that clusters in other investment over time and that needs to be remembered. From this Government’s point of view, we have a policy that AI growth zones will allow local authorities to retain 100% of business rate growth so that it can benefit communities.”
Data centres benefit from “clustering” together as it ensures effective network connectivity. South east Northumberland also has a large availability of cheap industrial land making it attractive for developments of the scale of data centres.
However, this clustering puts strain on local energy and water supplies. Other residents have also voiced opposition to the visual impact of data centres, which are often vast, featureless buildings.
Mr Lavery’s office is currently running a survey on data centres, which can be found on the MP’s social media feeds.