Three more data centres planned for green belt site

Three more data centres could be built next to another which was given planning permission by the government in the summer, according to plans.

Developer Manor Farm Propco Limited wants to use a 58-acre (23.5 hectare) green belt site in Slough for the trio of data centres and other associated infrastructure.

That company is owned by Tritax Big Box plc, which says it has "the UK's largest logistics investment and land development portfolio".

The new complex would sit next to the data centre, which was approved by planning minister Matthew Pennycook in June after he said there was a demonstrable national need for more of them.

The developer said the proposed Manor Farm West scheme is "operationally independent" from the now approved project but consideration has been given to how they would sit together.

They said the new development would improve access to the Arthur Jacob Nature Reserve.

The data centres would sit to the west of Poyle Trading Estate and close to Wraysbury Reservoir, according to the plans submitted to Slough Borough Council.

A separate application has been filed for a cable route which would link the 199MW new project to the Laleham substation in Ashford in Surrey.

That will need planning permission from Slough Borough Council, the London Borough of Hillingdon and Spelthorne Borough Council.