Le centre de données de 850 acres qui éclipserait la campagne idyllique du Devon

Residents in the picturesque town of Great Torrington, Devon, are rallying against plans to construct a sprawling 850-acre data centre that they fear will irreparably alter their rural surroundings. The proposed AI campus, backed by the company Xlinks, would feature over 2300 battery containers and potentially generate between 600 and 1200 jobs, while contributing £3.6 billion to the UK’s economy. However, local opposition has grown rapidly, with more than 25,500 signatures on a petition urging the cancellation of the project. The controversy erupted following the announcement of the plans on June 25, when leaflets were distributed throughout the community. At a public meeting held the same day, Matt Whittaker, a former Torrington Town Hall trustee, expressed deep concerns about the impact of the development. He criticized the initial visual representation of the site, noting that it depicted only 112 containers rather than the actual number of over 2300. According to Whittaker, the rendering failed to reflect the true scale of the project, which would include cooling systems operating at 65 decibels, raising health concerns for nearby residents. Whittaker also highlighted inaccuracies in the preliminary maps, which encroached on land owned by a local farmer who had not been contacted by Xlinks. Although the company later revised its plans, he remains skeptical of the reliability of the firm’s planning process. “Would you trust a multimillion-pound project with a company that can’t read a map or count containers?” he questioned, describing the situation as “farcical.” The opposition has gained momentum, with groups such as Leave Devon Alone leading the charge. Niamh Shearing, co-founder of the group, noted that the sheer size of the proposal, covering over 800 acres of countryside, has alarmed local residents. “This is one of the largest industrial developments ever proposed in North Devon,” she stated. The petition, which has garnered over 25,000 signatures, has also attracted widespread attention, reaching more than 500,000 people online and collecting over 300 detailed signed statements from concerned residents. Public consultations, initially set for July 14–17, have been postponed to September. Shearing described the delay as “disappointing” and “cowardly,” particularly given recent changes in public consultation laws. Residents had anticipated engaging directly with Xlinks during these sessions, but the postponement has left them feeling frustrated and unheard. Despite this setback, the campaign continues to gain strength, with local activists determined to ensure their voices are heard. Xlinks has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the growing backlash, though it has acknowledged the need to revise its plans. The company’s representatives have not responded publicly to criticisms regarding the accuracy of its maps or the potential environmental and health impacts of the project. Meanwhile, the debate over the data centre reflects broader tensions between technological advancement and the preservation of rural landscapes. As the dispute unfolds, the future of the proposed site remains uncertain. With local resistance mounting and the consultation period delayed, the outcome of this conflict will likely hinge on how effectively Xlinks addresses the concerns raised by the community. For now, the townspeople of Great Torrington continue to fight for the protection of their environment and way of life.