Residents have shared their concerns about proposals to bring a 145-acre (59-hectare) AI data centre to a village in Kent.<\/p>\n
AI data centres are giant warehouses full of powerful computers used to run digital services including film streaming and online banking.<\/p>\n
Infrastructure developer Clearstone said the site, which could be built in New Barn Road in Southfleet, was designed to meet growing demand for “AI-ready digital infrastructure” near London.<\/p>\n
Local resident Anne Hackett said Southfleet would become “a village lost within a giant AI data centre”, while fellow resident Lorraine Hills said it would “ruin the area”.<\/p>\n
Lena Norman, who works at The Ship Inn in the village, said: “I don’t think we need this sort of development around here, there’s enough data centres already. <\/p>\n
“The country roads aren’t very wide and it’ll cause traffic jams all the way to the A2.”<\/p>\n
While local resident Trisha Lindfield said: “It makes me cross as we are just rode over roughshod. <\/p>\n
“Nobody has told me about this until now. I’m angry.”<\/p>\n
Clearstone, which has been contacted for a comment, said the location was chosen because of the land, high-speed connectivity and talent pool needed to deliver “the next generation of AI-based applications”.<\/p>\n
If the site is approved, it is expected to need 750 workers to build it over three years, with a further 420 on-site jobs when it becomes operational.<\/p>\n
Clearstone is aiming for an operational start date of 2030 and is currently carrying out preliminary site surveys.<\/p>\n
The first round of public consultation is due to take place in the autumn.<\/p>\n
Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, external<\/a>, X, external<\/a>, and on Instagram, external<\/a> and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds<\/a>. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.<\/p>\n