THE Scottish Government has declined an invite by local campaigners to visit the proposed site for a “monster” AI data centre in Larbert that has drawn more than 7000 objections, the National can reveal.
Local campaigners had invited First Minister John Swinney along with other Scottish Government ministers to visit the site for the proposed hyperscale data centre, which would be just metres away from a care home, a primary school, a hospital and houses.
Developer Apatura has applied for planning permission for a 300 megawatts (MW) facility on around 55 acres of grassland next to an industrial estate in the town.
If approved, it would have its own electricity substation, as well as 200 industrial-scale diesel generators to provide back-up in case of a power failure or a lack of electricity.
Campaigners have been vocal in their objections to the proposal, fearing it will create noise and pollution for the thousands of residents living nearby, while also using a high amount of water and energy.
Concerns have also been raised about the lack of government intervention over the planning application, with campaigners calling on ministers to see for themselves the proposed location earmarked for the centre and listen to locals' concerns.
John Rae, who has lived his whole life in Larbert and is some 600 metres from the proposed site, wrote to Swinney on behalf of local campaigners questioning why the Scottish Government has allowed the application to be submitted for the centre in “such a highly populated area”.
“I’m extremely concerned about the major impact this centre will have on the local community and the environment if planning permission is granted, and it goes ahead,” he wrote.
Rae, 65, went on to explain that the hyperscale data center will be located approximately 800 metres from Forth Valley Royal Hospital; 700 metres from Kinnaird Primary School; 500 metres from Glenbervie Nursery; 20 metres from residential housing and right next to Glenbervie Care Home.
He wrote: “My question to you is why would the Scottish Government and Falkirk Council allow this to happen in such a highly populated area, when the negative impact on both physical and mental health is well documented as a result of these centres being built in such close proximity to housing?”
Rae also questioned what Scottish Government legislation constitutes as “green,” as he claimed the proposals from Apatura “seem to fall well short of this”.
He also raised concerns over the proposed “closed loop system” which he argues would “greatly increase” the demands on electricity supplies and would put “enormous strain” on the national grid.
Rae concluded: “I’d therefore like to invite you to visit Larbert and Stenhousemuir, visit the proposed site and speak to local residents and groups opposed to the building of this data centre, many of whom voted for you and your party in the Scottish Government elections and hear our views and concerns and show that you really do listen to the people of this country and what they want.”
Despite Rae raising his concerns, along with 7037 comments voicing their objection on Falkirk Council’s planning portal for the plans, the Scottish Government has not accepted the invite.
When The National asked the Scottish Government if Swinney would accept Rae’s invitation, Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad replied in his stead.
Goodlad said she is “clear” that the voices of communities will be “central to any considerations on data centres”.
“I have directed that planning authorities be required to notify ministers of new data centre applications exceeding 50 megawatts within seven days to help monitor their implications for wider infrastructure,” she said.
“Data centres represent a rapidly emerging sector and planning has an important role to play in considering applications, harnessing economic opportunities, and finding solutions which align with our climate goals.
“We must balance the economic and employment interests in developing data centres with national energy, climate and community wealth building ambitions, which are vital to our future prosperity, as well as the potential impact on local communities.
“It is essential to secure public benefits from this type of development, and I am clear that voices of communities that will be affected will be central to any considerations on data centres.”
Last week, Goodlad published a new direction for planning authorities which will apply to data centre developments exceeding a power capacity of 50MW.
The new policy means developers behind AI data centres will now have to publish Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), with planning authorities also having to notify Scottish ministers of any new applications submitted.
However, responding to Goodlad’s response on behalf of the Scottish Government, Rae expressed his disappointment over their decision not to take up his invitation and visit the Larbert site.
“To me that reply is just a sort of a glib reply that basically says nothing,” he said.
Rae added: “It’s almost as if we're just getting more and more to the case that decisions have been made, but they're actually frightened to come out and say this, but we're not going to stop fighting about it.”
He continued: “I'm fed up with hearing Swinney saying he's the voice of the people. He's got the people of Scotland's interests at heart.
“No, he's not. It could not be further from the truth as far as we're concerned.”
