Proposed Hertfordshire data centre could generate 700 jobs

Plans submitted to a council for a £3.75bn “world leading” data centre could generate up to 700 new jobs.

Hertsmere Borough Council are due to consider plans from DC01UK for the site on 85 acres of land adjacent to the A1 and M25, close to South Mimms services in Hertfordshire.

The company claimed the project “would be one of the largest data centre campuses in Europe” and create 500 jobs during construction and 200 permanent jobs once completed.

Peter Kyle, secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, said: “This huge £3.75 billion proposed investment is a vote of confidence in our plans to support the sector to thrive, ensuring everyone across society can feel the economic benefits of its growth.”

The plans also include turning the currently closed White Hart Pub in the village of South Mimms into a technology and innovation hub, which DC01UK said would provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents.

The Grade II-listed building dates back to the late 17th century and was altered and extended sometime in the 19th or 20th century.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, previous plans to part-demolish the pub and replace it with flats were submitted by Griggs Homes and approved by the council.

The council had rejected a bid to designate the former pub as an asset of community value.

Data centres are huge warehouses that remotely power services such as artificial intelligence (AI) applications and streaming.

In the UK they are set to be classified as critical national infrastructure such as the emergency services and energy and water supplies.

The company said the new centre, called DC01UK, could be operational in 2029.

The site is part of the Green Belt, but DC01UK argues that net biodiversity would increase under its plans, which include low-carbon buildings, renewable power generation, and retaining 50% of the green space.

The firm said the location was chosen as it is close to the Elstree substation for energy requirements as well as the UK’s national and international fibre optic routes.

A DC01UK spokesperson said about plans for the site: “The ambition for this project is to build the next generation of national digital infrastructure to power the needs of tomorrow.

“DC01UK is a unique and world-leading project. It will be the UK’s premier data centre, providing critical infrastructure for the UK’s future.”

Councillor Jeremy Newmark, leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said the application would be subject to the planning process but described it as “incredibly exciting news”.

He added: “The project is aligned with the council’s vision. It will be a major boost for our economic development, creative and climate change strategies.”