A BID for a “monster” size artificial intelligence (AI) data centre in the Borders has been labelled a "very dumb idea" as a campaign is launched to prevent it from ever becoming a reality.
But the company behind the proposed development has countered the criticisms by revealing that the proposed Southside Data Centre situated west of Duns, between the villages of Longformacus and Westruther on the Lammermuir Hills, represents a £2 billion investment in the Scottish economy, bringing with it 145 long-term jobs and also bolstering the Borders economy to the tune of £12m a year.
Last week, a Proposal of Application (Pan) notice was submitted to Scottish Borders Council, with the planning authority legally obliged to respond to it within 21 days, outlining whether the consultation planned is adequate.
The planned development on the Roxburghe Estate comprises of three large two-storey data centre buildings, each with a height up to 24m.
Within each building, half comprises IT floor space and half electrical and mechanical infrastructure.
The prospect of such a huge centre on their doorstep has alarmed the communities of Longformacus, Allenford and the Cranshaws.
Now a campaign has been launched under the banner of “Save the Lammermuirs – Stop the Data Centre”.
A group of locals gathered at the site of the proposed data centre to formally launch their campaign at the weekend.
Kathleen White, a member of the campaign group, said members wanted Sunlaws and the Roxburghe Estate to drop the plans, but accept that they’re in for a long fight.
She said: “Just being up there on the hill at the edge of the site on Saturday, it was really moving to be there with such a diverse group of people who all really care a lot about the area and are very committed to this campaign.
“It’s a massive site and it lies in the middle of a beautiful upland area between the Watch reservoir and the landmark hills of Dirrington Great Law and Dirrington Little Law.
“The long distance walking route of the Southern Upland Way passes close by. At this time of year you can hear skylarks, curlews and lapwings up there.
“It’s an area where you can’t imagine any other development of any size being permitted by SBC, let alone an industrial scale data centre, 24 metres high. So we are calling on SBC to oppose it, if a full planning application is lodged.
“We believe that the data centre will be a monster, consuming vast resources of electricity, and draining the life and beauty from the landscape.
“We think it is the wrong development in the wrong place.”
Kathleen said members accept that the data centre development is in response to the massive projected expansion in AI, but called for a responsible response, describing the proposed data centre as an “irresponsible development”.
She added: “As a campaign group, we know that we’re already living in a world and society that depend on AI, and that AI has some real benefits.
“But both AI, and the infrastructure it depends on, must be developed responsibly, by people and governments who are willing to think beyond the huge profits to be made.
“This proposed Southside Data Centre in Longformacus is an example of highly irresponsible development.”
The campaign group has sent out a letter to all Scottish Borders Council councillors and local MSPs calling for their support.
Meanwhile, Sunlaws say the “sustainably designed” data centre is expected to maintain 145 high-quality local jobs, and over 250 across Scotland, with around 1000 jobs in the construction phase.
When operational, the centre will represent a total of £2 billion investment in the Scottish economy, according to the company.
The site will be principally powered through local renewable energy thanks to the proximity of multiple windfarms and the Fallago Rig substation, providing access to electricity generating assets which are often curtailed due to a shortage of grid capacity.
The developer also says the location also benefits from comparatively low temperatures and exposure to sustained wind and plans for a closed loop cooling system means the centre will not need to draw on local water supplies for cooling purposes.
A spokesperson for the developer stated: “Draft proposals show three two-storey buildings screened into the landscape, with environmentally-sensitive ‘green roofs’, planted with moorland species and designed to blend into the surrounding natural moorland landscape.
“With a total capacity of approximately 225 MW, the centre is expected to generate £25 million for the Scottish economy annually, and boost the Borders economy by approximately £12 million a year.
“Over 15 years, it is estimated that the data centre could catalyse an economic benefit in the Scottish Borders area by an additional £47 million, and generate at least £776 million in tax revenues, a third of which will be in non-domestic rates payable directly to the Scottish Borders Council (SBC) to support local services.”
The first public consultation sessions will be held at Longformacus Village Hall on Thursday, June 4, with a further session at Westruther Village Hall on Tuesday, June 10.
These drop-in events will provide the opportunity for local people to find out more about the project, the extensive studies being undertaken, see early stage visualisations, and put questions to the project team.
The full suite of surveys required for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are being undertaken, and further consultation events are anticipated as the project progresses towards the submission of a full planning application.
For more information on the campaign contact savethelammermuirs@gmail.com
