Data centre and industrial campus at International Trading Estate, Southall

“Site clearance and preparation, including demolition of all existing buildings on site and redevelopment of the site to provide: Construction of four data centre units within three buildings of approximately 67.9m AOD in height (Use Class B8, approximately 158,702sqm GEA), four industrial buildings ranging from approximately 41.3m to 46.2m AOD in height (Use Classes B8, B2 and E(g)(iii), approximately 23,389 GEA), central pavilion building of approximately 35m AOD in height…”

“Four data centres within three buildings (Use Class B8) providing 156,804sqm GIA, up to 37.4m in height • Three industrial campus (Use Classes E(g)(iii), B2 and B8) providing 21,759sqm GIA, up to 15.5m in height • 104sqm GIA District Heating Network/LV plant building up to 5m in height • 193sqm GIA pavilion up to 4.9m in height comprising a lobby, café, multi-purpose room and exhibition area • A ‘Green Link’ across the site, connected to a public realm along the southern…”

“The application site comprises approximately 13 hectares of irregularly shaped land located in the southern-westernmost part of the borough. The site is bounded to the north by the Great Western Main Line/ Elizabeth line, beyond which lies Minet Country Park and the recently consented ‘Green Quarter’ residential development.”

“The site currently comprises 14 single- or two-storey industrial buildings accommodating some 40 separate units with a combined total floorspace of approximately 82,000sqm. These are predominantly in industrial uses and storage/ distribution (Use Class B2/B8), with some Class E and sui generis uses. Most of the land is covered in hardstanding, with limited vegetation along the canal edges and boundary verges.”

“A request for Scoping Opinion Review of the proposed scheme under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 (as amended) was considered by the Council in November 2024 under reference 244364SCO. Details of the assessment, amongst the subsequent Environmental Statement review, are set out under Section 5 Consultation in this report.”

“There was no other relevant planning history related to the proposed development, with most site histories related to alterations to the existing industrial units onsite. The existing development within the Site was consented under historic planning reference 12072/1 approved dated 01.09.1971 with the following description.”

“The development would introduce large data centre buildings visible from the Grand Union Canal and surrounding townscape. The proposal would result in less than substantial harm to the setting of Bull’s Bridge (Grade II) and the Canalside Conservation Area.”

“In planning balance, the development would deliver a high-quality, sustainable and employment- led regeneration of a locally strategic industrial site, consistent with the aims of the London Plan, the Ealing Development Plan, and the NPPF. The proposal would bring forward significant social, economic and environmental benefits that collectively outweigh the level of heritage and environmental harm identified.”

“Five (5) representations were received during the statutory consultation period, with three objections, one support and one neutral comment. The comments are summarised as follows:”

“Summary of Neutral Comments Officer Response Could the waste heat be used in the future as part of the Southall District Heating for existing and new developments? The proposed industrial buildings on site would be served by the waste heat from the Data Centre Campus.”

“The section 106 legal agreement included heads of terms to ensure that the wasted heat generated by the data centre development would be exported to the proposed new traditional industrial units on the site. Those sites would be expected to only use wasted heat from the data centre and no separate gas heating would be provided.”

“Enough parking spaces were needed to facilitate staff shift changeovers • The data centres would be a 24 hour operation so staff would not always be able to rely on public transport • The level of financial contributions in the s.106 agreement • The development would regenerate a brownfield industrial site and offered a positive biodiversity net gain of just shy of 80%.”

“That for the reasons set out in the committee report and Briefing Note, planning permission for application REF 250949FUL be GRANTED subject to:”