Google refused 54K-name petition, say campaigners

Protesters claim Google's headquarters in London refused a petition of 54,000 signatories worried about the environmental impact of an Essex development.

The tech giant plans to build four data centre buildings, covering 130,500 sqm, and an office building on the former Arena Essex Raceway near Purfleet which closed in 2018.

The 52 hectares of land became a Local Wildlife Site in 2006 and conservationists said the development would threaten rare bumblebees and endangered broad-leaved cudweed.

Google would not confirm or deny that it refused the petition on Wednesday, but said data centres were "vital" and that the firm was taking its environmental responsibilities "very seriously".

A number of environmental groups claim the development would wipe out more than 80% of its protected habitats, as the site is also home to butterflies and nightingales.

They have called for Google to "search elsewhere", and want it opened up as a green space and the return of the racers.

Jamie Robins, programmes manager at Buglife, said the plan "makes a mockery" of Google's sustainability claims.

"Handing in this petition today is making it clear to Google that their Thurrock Data Centre plans are inappropriate and unwanted," he said.

"During a nature and climate emergency, with our insects in decline, we should be protecting our precious wildlife sites and need powerful companies to lead and make better decisions."

Emily Buttress, of Essex Wildlife Trust, said: "Its loss would be devastating for the local area.

"It would fragment the ecological network even further, putting already at-risk wildlife under an even greater threat."

A Google spokesperson said: "Data centres are vital to the UK, providing the critical infrastructure required to power our digital economy and the online services used by people in every corner of the UK.

"As we work to deliver this critical infrastructure, we share the Essex Wildlife Trust and Buglife's view that development at the former Arena Essex site must be sustainable.

"Our goal is to regenerate the site, bringing long-term investment and jobs to Thurrock while taking our environmental responsibilities very seriously.

"We are working closely with Natural England and ecological experts to guarantee a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.

"Our proposal also ensures a substantial part of the site is preserved for new public open space, green links, retained habitat, and the long-term enhancement of key woodland corridors."

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