The Hillingdon Council Planning Committee approved a hybrid planning application for a four-phased redevelopment project at Hayes Bridge Retail Park and Heathrow Interchange.
This project aims to establish a data centre campus, including three data centres and an innovation hub. Phase 1 received full planning permission for the LON 6 data centre, while Phases 2-4 were granted outline planning permission.
The innovation hub is intended to provide affordable workspace for SMEs and community use. The proposal aligns with the Strategic Industrial Location’s purpose, ensuring it does not overburden the power grid and offers economic benefits. Environmental impacts will be mitigated through recommended planning conditions and obligations.
The Committee supported the redevelopment of unused land and requested that the Committee review each phase. Officers confirmed that all reserved matters applications would return for approval. Questions were raised about securing peppercorn rents for the innovation hub, which will be enforced through the Section 106 agreement.
Concerns about relatively low financial contributions compared to a similar project were addressed by highlighting the direct community benefits of the on-site innovation hub. There were also concerns about potential impacts on local Wi-Fi connectivity. Officers assured that digital infrastructure was considered in the London Plan policy, and ducting for full fibre would be included. Although a planning condition on Wi-Fi did not meet the six-part test, an informative document would be drafted to address this issue.
The Committee emphasised the need for timely progress to avoid delays. The officer’s recommendation was unanimously agreed upon, subject to a Section 106 legal agreement and conditions.
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