So, George Osborne thinks people who don’t want an AI datacentre on their doorstep are nimbys (OpenAI’s George Osborne says datacentre nimbys holding back Britain, 22 September). He ought to come and visit our small town in Devon, where there are plans to build one of the largest datacentres in Europe, along with a battery energy storage system, on 850 acres of farmland.
The size of this proposed development is quite out of proportion to its location – larger than the town itself – and accessed by narrow lanes. It would be a huge blot on a beautiful rural landscape that is enjoyed by holidaymakers who are vital to the local economy.
