A proposed 1.5GW AI datacentre and battery storage campus in Great Torrington has triggered a major local campaign over environmental and transparency concerns.
Key facts
- •The proposed campus includes a 1.5GW AI datacentre and a 1.8GW battery energy storage system (BESS) with 1,720 containerised units.
- •A petition against the project has gathered 30,000 signatures, calling for a pause on datacentre plans outside designated AI growth zones.
- •Torridge district council officials have denied allegations of improper conduct, stating that planning applications will follow standard legislative procedures.
- •The project site is located within a Unesco biosphere reserve, raising concerns about the industrialization of protected farmland.
- •Xlinks previously proposed a separate energy project in the region in 2024, which the government declined to support.
Residents in Great Torrington, north Devon, are protesting a proposed 1.5GW AI datacentre and 1.8GW battery energy storage system (BESS) planned by the company Xlinks. The project, which would occupy approximately 344 hectares of countryside, has faced intense backlash due to its location within a Unesco biosphere reserve. Campaigners have raised concerns regarding water usage, potential environmental damage, and a perceived lack of transparency in the planning process.
By the numbers
Transparency and Planning Concerns
Local activists, organized as the Devon Datacentre and BESS action group, have utilized freedom of information (FoI) requests to uncover evidence of closed-door discussions between Xlinks and council officials dating back to March 2025. Documents revealed that Torridge district council issued a letter of support in principle in April 2025, over a year before the project was made public. The council maintains that its pre-application process is standard and confidential, intended only to provide planning guidance.
Project Scope and Environmental Impact
The proposed campus would include five buildings ranging from 50 to 130 feet in height, with two primary structures covering 22 acres each. While Xlinks states that only one-third of the 344-hectare site would be developed, with the remainder dedicated to habitat creation, critics cite risks including noise, air pollution, and potential water contamination. Although Xlinks claims the site will be water-sufficient, FoI documents indicated that extreme drought conditions could require up to 2.9 billion litres of water annually, a figure the company says is based on a superseded design.
Developer Response and Economic Claims
Xlinks asserts that the £13.8 billion project will provide significant economic benefits, including between 600 and 1,200 jobs, and contribute to clean energy infrastructure. The company stated it is conducting wildlife surveys and intends to exceed legal biodiversity requirements by 10%. Xlinks also noted that building designs will be adjusted to minimize visual impact through landscaping and topography.
Timeline
- March 2025Xlinks began closed discussions with council officials regarding the project.
- April 2025Torridge district council issued a letter of support in principle for the proposal.
- June 2025Xlinks held a public town hall meeting to discuss the project with residents.
- 18 December 2025Council officials and developers discussed stakeholder engagement plans via email.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Guardian AI.
