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Data centre consultation 'a sales pitch'

Joshua NicholLocal Democracy Reporting Service
BBC A composite image of resident Ed Morrow, Gordon Jenkins and Philip Dowell, who attended consultation events in South Hetton about the proposed data centre. Ed Morrow has short white hair and wears glasses. He is smiling slightly at the camera. He is wearing a dark green coat with a poppy attached to it and a white shirt under a black jumper. Gordon Jenkins is smiling at the camera. He has white beard and glasses. he is wearing a black beanie and coat with a dark blue jumper. Philip Dowell has short white hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a grey hoodie with the logo of Gateshead College. BBC
Residents shared their concerns at two consultation events about the data centre

Residents say they are being "led down the garden path" over plans for a major data centre.

US-based developer Tract wants to build Durham Technology Park on land between the villages of South Hetton, Murton and Easington Lane in County Durham.

Two public consultation events saw concerns about noise, traffic, water supplies and the size of the complex, with one local describing the consultation as a "sales pitch".

Tract said the plans were still at an early stage and feedback would help shape the proposals before they are formally submitted to the county council.

But several residents who attended the consultation in South Hetton remained worried.

Ed Morrow has short white hair and wears glasses. He is smiling slightly at the camera. He is wearing a dark green coat with a poppy attached to it and a white shirt under a black jumper.
Ed Morrow says people found out about the plans only at the end of October

Ed Morrow, 68, said his daughter exchanged contracts on a new-build home close to the proposed site in July, before her family knew about the data centre plans.

"We just seem to be in a situation where we can't do anything about it," he said.

"We can't believe that it was just at the end of October that people began to find out."

Gordon Jenkins who has lived in South Hetton for 14 years, described the consultation as a "sales pitch".

"The proposals, I'm not in favour of any of these," he said.

Gordon Jenkins is smiling at the camera. He has white beard and glasses. he is wearing a black beanie and coat with a dark blue jumper.
Gordon Jenkins is worried about the noise

The 75-year-old said he was worried about the amount of electricity the site could use and possible noise.

"We're also told we don't have enough infrastructure for electricity, and yet these are going to start sapping massive amounts of electricity."

"They say they're not, but I don't believe that for a minute."

Philip Dowell, 70, said residents wanted answers about noise.

"We've been here before," he said. "We've been led down the garden path before. They promise to do this and do that.

"It's the people I feel for. They're going to live with this big massive monument of digital expertise."

Philip Dowell has short white hair and blue eyes. He is wearing a grey hoodie with the logo of Gateshead College.
Philip Dowell also wants answers about noise from the facility

Local businessman Lee Blenkinsop, 58, said the development could bring benefits if it created enough jobs, adding "I'm not sure about the pollution and where the power's coming from."

There were also concerns about road safety, the height of the buildings and water supplies, after a large house fire in the village led to homes losing water for several hours.

The East Durham Action Group (EDAG) said the data centre should be considered alongside other large energy developments across the area.

Tract An illustration 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
Developer Tract says the project is still in the initial design stage

Tract plans to work with local education institutions and employment agencies on training and recruitment programmes, with opportunities ranging from apprenticeships to degree-qualified positions.

It has previously claimed the facility would bring 1,050 "direct, indirect and induced jobs once operational" and "thousands more" during construction, but has not explained how the figures were compiled.

A spokesperson said they aimed to plan "responsibly" and ensure Murton, South Hetton and the wider East Durham area "can share in the opportunities of the digital economy".

"Durham Technology Park is at an early design stage, and what we heard tonight will help inform the proposals alongside the technical and environmental assessments required through the planning process," the spokesperson added.

The developer is hoping to submit an outline planning application in December.

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