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ApaturaPlans for AI hyperscale data centre in Larbert ApaturaCall for suspension on data centre proposals<\/p>\nMore than 1,100 residents have objected to plans for a \u201chyperscale\u201d AI data centre that would be located close to homes, a care home, a nursery, and a hospital in Larbert. <\/p>\n
Apatura has submitted proposals to Falkirk Council for a 300MW AI data centre beside Glenbervie Business Park on Bellsdyke Road, which would be around the size of 35 football pitches.<\/p>\n
If the massive development gets the go-ahead, it is scheduled to be completed by 2028, with operations getting under way in 2029.<\/p>\n
In the US, data centres have developed a \u201cbad neighbour\u201d reputation \u2013 using vast amounts of energy and water, noise levels, spiking energy bills, and driving up emissions.<\/p>\n
But Apatura says the regulation in Scotland is much more \u201crigorous\u201d. The \u201cgreen data centre\u201d will use excess renewable energy, though would have 200 emergency back-up diesel generators, and slash water use via a closed-loop cooling system.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also \u201cdistrict heat ready,\u201d meaning its trapped waste heat could eventually warm local homes and businesses if a third-party partner steps in to make the connection.<\/p>\n
Local concerns<\/p>\n
However, environmental campaigners and residents have raised concerns over various issues, including the environmental impact of back-up diesel generators, as well as the potential effects on public health, noise levels, air quality and increasing energy costs.<\/p>\n
Kat Jones, director of campaign group Action to Protect Rural Scotland, told STV News: \u201cThis is really huge.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a large amount of energy, and it\u2019s the equivalent of what 300,000 households would use on a January evening, so that is a lot of energy.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s coming in pretty fully formed on to this community, and I\u2019ve been speaking to local people, and many are saying they didn\u2019t know about it until now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe concerns on the back of that are in places where hyperscale data centres are being built, energy prices are going up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are particularly concerned about how close it is to this care home and the hospital and, of course, the residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese huge industrial buildings are not something you want to have where you live. It\u2019s also something which I don\u2019t think you want to have in Scotland because of the impact they have on the wider environment as well as the local environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
The developer also has plans for eight other data centre sites across Scotland, including a 550MW centre at Ravenscraig in North Lanarkshire, and is one of more than 20 hyperscale data centres planned across the country.<\/p>\n
Apatura says in the planning documentation that the centre could bring \u201cbillions of inward investment, thousands of new jobs during construction, and hundreds of well-paid long-term local jobs\u201d, such as software and electrical engineering.<\/p>\n
It also says it would generate at least \u00a35m a year in business rates for Falkirk Council.<\/p>\n
But campaigners have questioned the credibility of these figures, particularly around jobs.<\/p>\n
Jones added: \u201cWe did a report on jobs and data centres because we were seeing these huge inflated figures from the developers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we went to look at what is happening globally, we found a typical data centre employs between 20 and 50 people and in fact, some of the biggest data centres in the world \u2013 there is one being built which is going to be 2GW, and that\u2019s projected to employ 100 people.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo where these figures are coming from I just can\u2019t imagine. I think we need to challenge these figures because there is no data centre in the world that employs that many people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The developer also says it will use excess green energy drawn from a battery energy storage site to power the centre during times of low production, which would help reduce energy consumption.<\/p>\n
But another major concern for campaigners is the need for 200 emergency backup diesel generators, with a 48-hour supply planned in case of a power failure.<\/p>\n
Action to Protect Rural Scotland, it is the equivalent of having 106,000 idling diesel cars. The generators would be tested monthly, quarterly and annually.<\/p>\n
ApaturaPlans for AI hyperscale data centre in Larbert ApaturaCall for suspension on data centre proposals<\/p>\n
Fraser Sutherland from Stop Climate Chaos Scotland and APRS say there needs to be a moratorium on building hyperscale data centres until there is clearer guidance from the Scottish Government on the impact of these centres.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe reason why this is happening is that the Scottish Government haven\u2019t defined what green data centres are.<\/p>\n
\u201cI find that astonishing given the scales of these centres. This is something which they can\u2019t just wash their hands of and walk away, and say, well, this is too difficult, it\u2019s up to each local council.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think that\u2019s fair on the local councillors, given the volume of documentation they are asked to read, given the scale of these developments, given there needs to be a joined-up plan of how many developments Scotland can actually cope with in terms of energy production.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt needs a real national response to this. We need to see stronger action from the Scottish Government to consider the impact of these centres.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also concerns about the complexity and volume of documents, as well as the limited time for residents to submit their responses.<\/p>\n
Jones added: \u201cIt\u2019s worth saying the documents are really hard to read. It\u2019s very difficult for local communities to get their heads around what is happening.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a system made for people to feel like they are involved in the decision-making. Even the environmental impact assessment is in 52 different documents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Maciocia is a local resident and is one of the people behind the Facebook group, \u2018Say No To Larbert data centre\u2019 and has organised a meeting at Dobbie Hall on June 25.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cI worked for Intel for 33 years, so I have a good understanding of technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew hugely concerned reading reports from other people that I worked with in the past, talking about data centres that had opened near them in the States.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat included noise pollution, the fact that their electric bills were going up, and, on some days, their water pressure was decreasing to almost zero.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo one that I have spoken to, including people within 50 metres of the development, was consulted or informed of air quality.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: \u201cThe Scottish Government is clear that the voices of communities that will be affected by these kinds of development must be central to any considerations, while planning authorities have a responsibility to consider the environmental implications of all developments which require planning permission.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Scottish Government is also clear that any new AI infrastructure development should minimise reliance on fossil fuel solutions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur AI Strategy for Scotland recommends that data centre development should include steps to assess and mitigate potential risks of the infrastructure, including in relation to environmental sustainability.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI data centres are an evolving sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is why the National Planning Hub has been working with planning authorities, infrastructure providers and industry stakeholders to share an understanding of emerging impacts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apatura\u2019s commercial director, Michael Hunter, told STV News: \u201cOur Larbert Data Centre is located on a site which has been designated for employment use for a number of years and is the result of an extremely well-considered design process which has been informed by community consultation and detailed technical and environmental assessment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe development has the potential to offer a significant boost to the local, regional and Scottish economy and is designated as\u00a0\u2018essential infrastructure\u2019 by the Scottish Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe process for determining the acceptability of data centre development is rigorous.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe planning application will be examined by the Planning Authority and a range of statutory authorities and consultees, (including the general public) and judged against local and national planning policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond this there are a number of additional environmental regulations which the development will be controlled by in order to regulate emissions and operations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndeed, Apatura is a signatory to the industry charter \u2018Delivering green data centres in Scotland\u2019\u00a0which sets out the rigorous standards against which we believe all new developments should be measured.<\/p>\n
\u201cScotland has an abundance of low carbon electricity and a cool climate which makes it the ideal destination for data centres \u2013 where, by its nature, our electricity has a lower carbon intensity than anywhere else in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Falkirk Council said: \u201cThe proposal is currently subject to an ongoing regulatory planning process.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would not be appropriate for the council to comment on specific technical assessments or modelling at this stage.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll environmental impacts, including air quality, will be rigorously assessed by the relevant statutory authorities as part of the planning determination process, with opportunities for public representation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise that this is a significant application with a large amount of supporting information.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe statutory period for comments is 21 days, ending on 2 July 2026, but the council does not operate a hard cut-off at the end of that period.<\/p>\n
\u201cComments can continue to be submitted up until the application is determined, although early submission is recommended.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a national development, the application will be considered by the planning committee and will be subject to a pre-determination hearing before any decision is made.\u201d<\/p>\n
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