Massive data centre scheme out for consultation

Neighbouring councils are being consulted on plans to redevelop Langley Business Centre for a mixed-use scheme including a massive data centre.

Chilterns & South Bucks district councils are considering a response to a radical plan which the developer describes as a ‘scarce and important opportunity, both for SBC (Slough Borough Council) and the UK’.

The outline planning application to Slough Borough Council, submitted by Barton Willmore for Zurich Insurance (c/o Threadneedle Portfolio Services) at the end of 2019, is to demolish the current business centre and build a data centre of up to 96,000 sq m including offices and a substation.

In addition, the application seeks up to 9,650 sq m of a mix which could include up to 60 homes, up to 6,000 sq m of offices, an energy centre, plus various retail, pub and community uses for a separate plot on the site.

The whole 6.9-hectare site, close to Langley Railway Station, would be let or sold to a single operator.

The planning application states: “The plots are unlikely to be developed separately because of the anticipated desire by data centre operators to have control over their immediate surrounding to ensure the facility has robust security.

“Therefore, a single planning application for the development of the whole site will be progressed.”

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