Zack Polanski demands freeze on English data centres.
Data centres were designated as critical infrastructure in 2024.
Polanski said the government should introduce tougher environmental requirements for data centres and give local communities a greater say over whether new facilities are built in their areas. “At a time when three-quarters of the country is in drought, it is outrageous that these are being considered critical infrastructure,” he said. Speaking to the BBC’s Today programme, Acton said obtaining planning permission for data centres was already “very difficult”, including in areas designated as AI growth zones. A government spokesperson said a pause would “simply send investment and good jobs abroad” and leave Britain dependent on overseas computing to process sensitive health and defence data. The government also said its support for data centres did not amount to an unconditional approval of every proposed development.
He made the comments while visiting the site of a proposed data centre in East London. He called for a moratorium on new developments, apart from smaller facilities serving local communities. Polanski also criticised the government’s decision to classify data centres as critical infrastructure, saying the designation was inappropriate while much of the country was experiencing drought. “To most people critical infrastructure means hospitals, water, electricity. The classification provides them additional government support during incidents such as cyber-attacks and extreme weather. The Green Party has argued that the designation could allow data centres to receive priority over households for water during shortages. The government has rejected that suggestion, saying data centres would not automatically receive priority when water supplies are under pressure.