The development, set across 85 acres, will be one of Europe’s largest data centre campuses, covering up to two million square feet of floor space. The data centre will be positioned adjacent to key transport routes (A1 and M25) and strategically located near the Elstree substation, the site is uniquely placed to support the growing demands for data centres fuelled by AI, cloud computing, and data-heavy services.
The project is anticipated to deliver significant national and local economic benefits and has an estimated construction value of £3.75bn. Once operational, the site will support at least 200 permanent jobs and generate £1.1bn in GVA per annum. Notably, during the construction phase, approximately 500 jobs will be created to further boost the regional economy in Hertfordshire.
As part of the planning, the project is committed to enhancing local infrastructure such as cycling and bus routes, as well as developing a new Technology and Innovation Hub in South Mimms to provide training and apprenticeship opportunities for residents. The development will also align with Hertsmere Borough Council’s Net Zero strategy, delivering low-carbon buildings and on-site renewable energy generation. The net biodiversity on the site is due to increase by at least 10% under the plans, with 54% of the site retained as open, green space.
The planning submission follows the government announcement on the 12th of September, designating data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), alongside energy and water systems. This will allow the government to support the sector in the event of critical incidents, safeguarding lives and livelihoods while ensuring resilience for the UK's digital infrastructure. The added protections are aimed at boosting investor confidence in UK data centres and positioning the country as a global leader in the sector.
Giles Dobson, Head of Rural, Bidwells, comments:
“These core locations are becoming increasingly important for development in a fast-modernising economy, and it is a testament to our team’s agility and technical expertise that we have moved so quickly to capture this interest.
As set out in our report released earlier this year, The Productivity Engine, the UK assumes a strategic advantage within the sphere of data centre investment, and is enabled by access to over 50 submarine cables that link it to Europe and North America.”
Andrew Groves, Partner, Head of Capital Markets, Bidwells, comments:
“This transaction represents a massive vote of confidence in the UK economy, so we are very proud to have played a role in making it happen through acting on behalf of our landowner client.”
