Agenda item

Hybrid planning application consisting of;

a) Full Planning Application for the erection of a single storey 8,692 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks, a gate house/security building, MV substation, site access, internal access roads, drainage infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping and,

b) Outline Planning Application for the erection of a two storey 20,800 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks; details of appearance will be reserved, along with hard landscaping immediately around the building (as amended by plans and documents received 5th May 2021).

The committee considered applications P21/V0167/FUL and P21/S0274/FUL for a hybrid planning application consisting of:

a.    Full Planning Application for the erection of a single storey 8,692 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks, a gate house/security building, MV substation, site access, internal access roads, drainage infrastructure, hard and soft landscaping and,

b.    Outline Planning Application for the erection of a two storey 20,800 m2 Data Centre building (containing data halls, associated electrical and AHU Plant Rooms, loading bay, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas and screened plant at roof level), emergency generators and emission stacks, diesel tanks and filling area, electrical switch room, a water sprinkler pump room and storage tanks; details of appearance will be reserved, along with hard landscaping immediately around the building (as amended by plans and documents received 5th May 2021) on land at the former Didcot A power station, Milton Road, Didcot.

Consultations, representations, policy and guidance and the site’s planning history were detailed in the officer’s report which formed part of the agenda pack for this meeting.

The planning officer provided an update to the committee that as the application had been a cross-boundary application, it had been considered by the Vale of White Horse Planning Committee the previous week, where it had received approval for planning permission. The planning officer also reported that the Oxfordshire Skills Board had recently submitted a response, which supported the proposal, as it was regarded as providing high value employment, opportunities, and supported the digital economy.

The planning officer explained that the proposed application sought 8,692 m² of space for the first data centre, and outline permission for a second unit with  20,800 m² of space. To ensure security, the site would be located within a secure compound which would include a security gatehouse. Furthermore, land would be retained to the west of unit two for potential future development, although this would be subject to a future application. The planning officer also highlighted that the power supply for the proposal would come from the National Grid, with a backup supply from diesel generators in the event of a power outage.

The planning officer added that, in principle, the proposal was acceptable and that the site had been allocated for re-development in the Vale of White Horse Local Plan and it accorded with the South Oxfordshire Local Plan. The height of the development was also considered acceptable and the contemporary design was considered suitable for the surroundings. Subject to conditions, the planning officer did not consider that this application would have a detrimental impact to its surroundings, and this included highway safety. While it was noted that Sutton Courtenay Parish Council had voiced objections due to concerns on pedestrian and cycle connections, the planning officer contended that cycle and parking access to be provided was acceptable.

David Pryor, a representative of Boundary Park Sports Association, spoke objecting to the application.

Camilla Fisher, the agent, spoke in support of the application.

A question was raised with Camilla Fisher, the agent, regarding the net biodiversity gain and on why the biodiversity figures were used from the site post-clearance rather than its pre-clearance state. It was explained that there was a holistic analysis and that it was agreed with officers that they would align with the strategy for the outline permission site to deliver net gain. It was added that the 2014 baseline showed a total of eighty-nine biodiversity units across the outline permission site area, and the committed developments to date left thirty-two units to be delivered. An additional question was raised with respect to the batteries which would be used at the facility. The committee highlighted that fifty-megawatt batteries were used in some existing data centre developments around the world and questioned why they were not being proposed. The agent explained that the proposed design relied on battery technology for continuous power supply in the event of a power outage. The challenge of these large batteries was their scale, as whilst they could provide short term support, they presented challenges during a long-term power outage. The committee also asked whether the limited availability of battery packs was due to supply or to the industry type. The agent responded that the technology was not advanced enough at this stage and this resulted in the decision not to use them.

A final question was asked to the agent on the lighting for the site and how the application would minimise light pollution for the surrounding area. The agent explained that it was a requirement to have surveillance on the external surroundings with a minimum of five lux on the fence line.  It was also clarified that the outer fencing would have lights permanently illuminated during the evening, as this was required for the surveillance.

Councillor Ian Snowdon made a statement objecting to the application and considered himself to have become pre-determined. He would not take part in the debate nor vote on the item.

Councillor Axel MacDonald left the meeting and therefore did not participate in the voting on this application.

The committee enquired whether an energy audit had been conducted. It was informed that such an exercise had been completed and formed part of the application documentation. It was acknowledged that although this was not included in the agenda pack for the meeting, it had been viewable online. An additional question was raised on the carbon calculation for the proposed development. The planning officer clarified that the calculation was available in the energy statement.

A motion moved and seconded, to defer the item until further information was available was declared carried on being put to the vote.

RESOLVED: to defer consideration of applications P21/V0167/FUL and P21/S0274/FUL pending the receipt of further energy-related information and further information on biodiversity net gain, to enable the committee to make an informed decision.