Peelhouses data centre near Lockerbie secures planning extension

The centre was first approved in 2010 but work has yet to get under way

A long-standing proposal to build an internet data centre near Lockerbie has secured a further three-year extension to its planning permission.

Councillors agreed to continue the consent in principle for the Peelhouses Farm project, subject to conditions.

The scheme first emerged almost 10 years ago promising a multi-million pound investment and jobs.

Work has yet to get under way but the latest decision gives it until 2020 to begin construction.

Planning permission was first granted in 2010 and was subsequently renewed in 2013.

No objections

It was originally suggested it could bring an £800m investment and the creation of thousands of jobs.

Backers pledged to turn the site into an "international hub for the internet age".

Initially the scheme also included a major housing development but those proposals were subsequently dropped.

The latest plans include a data centre, technology park, horticultural research facility and visitor centre.

The request for planning permission to be extended by a further three years was submitted by consultants Blackmores D Limited.

No objections were lodged and the proposal was accepted by councillors.