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Huge data centre planned between villages

Pamela BilalovaNorth East and Cumbria
Tract An illustration of a guess of how the data centre might look shows multi-storey grey buildings behind a line of trees and shrubs. A man is walking a dog along a footpath. A woman with a child is walking in the opposite direction. There is a low wooden fence along both sides of the path. It is drawn to look like a benign, genteel park with the buildings barely visible in amongst greenery.Tract
No operator has been identified for the data centre which would take up to eight years to build

Early designs for a huge data centre complex will go on show to villagers who would be living near the development if it ever goes ahead.

Developer Tract wants to create the eight-building giant, which it calls Durham Technology Park, on land between the villages of South Hetton, Murton and Easington Lane in County Durham.

The project is still in the initial design stage and the company "does not know at this time" who might operate the facility.

Two public consultation events will take place in South Hetton next month with the developer hoping to submit an outline planning application in December.

Initial plans show seven main "data halls" alongside a logistics building, car parking and on-site electricity substation.

Tract said: "Development including power delivery takes six to eight years.

"Operators frequently plan ahead only for two or three years and we cover this gap by preparing the land and investing in land preparation, power development and supporting utility infrastructure."

Tract A satellite image shows the land where the centre will be built. It features an illustration of its buildings and shows several paths and landscaping. South Hetton Road is running alongside the site's southern border and separates the land from Easington Lane and South Hetton. Murton is to the north. Tract
The giant multi-building development would sit between three villages

Tract claimed the scheme would bring "up to" 1,500 construction jobs and, despite there being no company identified to run the centre, 310 full time roles at the finished data centre.

Documents offer no detail on how those figures have been compiled or how such variables as technological advances in the years until it is opened might affect staff requirements.

Tract listed the types of permanent roles as "network electrical engineers, technicians, operations management, customer services, security and welfare".

Two public events will take place at Robin Todd Community Centre on Front Street in South Hetton on 6 and 9 November.

"This is the first stage of consultation on the emerging proposals for Durham Technology Park," Tract said.

"We will reflect on your feedback before we submit an outline planning application."

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