Another thirsty data centre approved in West London

Hounslow Council’s Planning Committee approved outline permission for a major data centre redevelopment at the Haslemere Heathrow Estate on Silver Jubilee Way, Cranford.

The scheme, led by Brixton (Heathrow Estate) Ltd, linked to Kennedy Wilson, would replace the existing building with up to 50,000 square metres of data centre floorspace and about 4,150 square metres of SME workspace. The project also includes ancillary offices, internal plant, substations, car parking, servicing areas, cycle storage, lighting, flues, and associated earthworks and infrastructure. Approval was granted with most details reserved for later, including appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, and the proposal now awaits Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London.

The development is notable because it adds to a growing cluster of west London data centre approvals. Its proposed electrical demand is very high, with an 80MVA connection delivering around 48MW IT load through the Laleham Grid Supply Point. This has raised concern from local groups and the Greater London Authority about energy strain and infrastructure capacity.

Water availability is equally important. Data centres rely on water for cooling, and large facilities can place heavy pressure on local supplies, especially in already constrained areas. For this reason, the developer must submit a formal operational water-consumption reduction strategy. That requirement matters because it helps limit environmental impact, supports resilience during drought or supply stress, and reduces competition with homes and businesses for finite water resources.

 In short, the project’s success depends not only on planning approval, but on demonstrating that it can operate with manageable demand for both power and water.