Demolition activities at RWE’s Didcot A site, formerly home to its coal fired power station, are now drawing to a close. During the demolition phase, RWE has formulated a broad redevelopment strategy for the site, working with both the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire Country Council. The strategy reserves land for possible future power generation opportunities and for data centres given the site’s proximity to Didcot B Power Station with its electricity transmission system.
Earlier this year, following consultation with the Vale of White Horse Council and Oxfordshire Country Council, RWE consulted 3,000 residents, stakeholders and businesses about its plans for a data centre campus. RWE are pleased to be able to confirm that this week the planning application was formally submitted to The Vale of White Horse District Council. The campus will include data centre accommodation with ancillary office space together with infrastructure necessary to support the operation of the development. A significant tract of land for strategic landscaping and biodiversity enhancement will also be provided.
Matt Trigg, Development Planning Manager for RWE commented: ”We would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to review the online consultation material, we have taken feedback into consideration in the preparation of the planning application.”
The application fits within the former Didcot A Power Station site and as it will not exceed 35m in height above the finished ground level. Initial access is proposed via the existing site roads with provision built into the layout to allow access via the proposed Didcot Science Bridge Road (Oxfordshire County Council’s strategic distributor road connection to the A4130) in the future.
Data centre developments provide the essential infrastructure that both families and modern businesses require to thrive. They provide the ability to manage data, to improve agility and ensure that computer systems have ongoing connectivity to the internet or other business networks. Data centres also support the delivery of a range of on-line services such as Netflix, personal satellite navigation and they facilitate online purchases and home delivery. Building upon the economic importance of the Science Vale UK, a data centre development on this site will offer both local jobs during the construction phase and long term highly skilled jobs once the campus is operational. As with all essential infrastructure, such as the power station, the data centre campus will operate at all times and staff will operate on a shift basis.
RWE owns the land and is developing options, however it will bring in specialist services and companies throughout the next stages of work. Ultimately, RWE’s development partner will deliver and run the data centre campus.
For more information, please go to the dedicated website https://www.didcotdatacampus.co.uk/.