An 80MW data center planned for the London Borough of Newham has been given the go-ahead in the UK.
The £750 million ($976m) project will see a hyperscale data center built on the site of a former scrap yard in Bidder Street, in East London's Canning Town. It has received planning permission from local councilors, and could be up and running by 2027.
Legal & General is spearheading the project, working with specialist digital infrastructure investment firm Goldacre and data center development company sineQN.
The trio claim the development will add £88m ($114m) to Newham’s local economy, and create over 1,000 jobs in the construction and operation phases of the project.
Matteo Colombo, managing director of digital infrastructure and asset management at Legal & General, said the company has a “positive legacy in Newham” through existing developments which has delivered homes, office space, and public facilities.
He said: “This data center signals our continued support for the Borough through the provision of catalytic capital to develop vital assets and boost productivity in this vibrant part of London.”
The data center site is located 500 meters from the London Internet Exchange. According to the planning application, it will also have the potential to heat 13,000 homes via a district heating system.
David Bloom, founder and CEO of Goldacre said obtaining planning permission was a “significant milestone” for Newham and London’s broader digital infrastructure.
Bloom said: “As demand for data capacity continues to grow exponentially, this development reinforces the capital’s position as a global hub for innovation and technology. At Goldacre, we are committed to advancing the future of digital infrastructure, and this project exemplifies our dedication to innovative and forward-thinking solutions that meet the evolving needs of the digital economy.”
East London is one of the most popular locations for data centers in the UK thanks to its proximity to London’s financial district. But as demand for data center space grows, operators are increasingly looking to sites further east of the capital.
Planned data centers in the region include a 600MW site in Havering being developed by Digital Reef.
