Data centre plans move forward
PLANS to build a £350m data centre in Stockport have moved forward after being recommended for approval by councillors.
Member of the Heatons and Reddish Area Committee voted in favour of recommending its approval – meaning the application will be decided by the council’s Planning and Highways Regulation Committee.
If approved, it would see a 25,900sqm data centre built in Reddish. The site on Kenwood Road was chosen after a twoyear research process.
Spencer Lamb, a representative of Kao Data, said data centres are a ‘critical’ part of the digital world, which are needed for the UK to compete globally in sectors such as artificial intelligence.
Most data centres in the UK are based around London and the south east.
Mr Lamb added that the ‘wealth of opportunity and people that work’ in Greater Manchester was one of the main reasons Reddish was chosen for the potential new site.
Councillors raised concerns about traffic on Station Road, and whether the site would have an impact on the environment. A Kao Data staff member said they have ‘walked up and down [Station] road’ and that they ‘full intend to manage it carefully with the community’.
The site could have 90 car parking spaces, but the company said these will rarely be fully used and are mainly for ‘peak demand’ during the initial set up.
If the planning application is approved, it would create at least 40 jobs and operate 24/7.
Councillor David Wilson said: “This data centre and the opportunity it involves for Stockport in general to be very much welcomed. Most if not all of the concerns are addressed in the report.”
Coun Gary Lawson, leader of Stockport Green Party, said he had ‘reservations’ about the plan, adding: “I know the residents in this area have had to put up with a lot, and I’m trying to imagine what it’s like from their point of view.
“This won’t be so bad, but there will be some noise 24/7 and there will be some vehicles even after the construction process is finished.”
Work would see the existing warehouse on the land demolished before construction begins.