Plans for £1bn data centre recommended for approval

Plans for a £1bn AI data centre have been recommended for approval.

Caineal wants to build the centre on green belt land near the A127 and Old Nevendon Road in Wickford, Essex.

The developer said it would represent a £1.3bn investment in the borough. But although it proposes building a nature reserve adjacent to the site, objections have been made over fears it would "harm the current open space".

Basildon Borough Council is due to make a final decision on the application on 25 September.

According to planning documents, if the centre is approved it could create 120 full-time jobs.

John Bourne, from Caineal, said it was a chance for the area to "become a powerhouse in the AI data economy".

Objections have been raised by Wickford Town Council, which said the proposal was against green belt policy, and it raised concerns about the urban sprawl between Basildon and Wickford.

There has been an objection from a neighbour who raised environmental concerns including "habitat loss, pollution and disruption to wildlife".

They also raised fears over traffic congestion, noise and light pollution, but planning officers said all the issues had been "fully considered and addressed" in their report.

Basildon Borough Council will make a decision on the plans next week

Essex Chamber of Commerce backs the proposal, and said the data centre could help the local economy.

The borough council's own economic development team said it "could serve as a catalyst for attracting high-value, hi-tech businesses".

Planning officers have recommended the plans for conditional approval.