Hyperscale data centre at Former Honey Monster Food Factory, Southall

What people said

Concerns covered construction traffic, parking, public safety, antisocial behaviour, heating, transport, air quality and energy, while local organisations also supported the scheme.

“An Outline Construction Logistics Plan has been submitted with the application. This sets out the proposed approach to manage construction traffic routing, vehicle management, timing and highway safety. A detailed Demolition and Construction Management Plan would be secured by condition prior to commencement. This would require further details of construction vehicle routing, hours of operation, traffic management, neighbour liaison and mitigation measures.”

“The existing Public Transport Accessibility Level has been taken into account in the assessment. The development would generate substantially fewer trips than the previous industrial use and previous redevelopment proposals. The scheme would also secure new pedestrian and cycle links, travel planning measures, a temporary shuttle bus obligation, bus service contributions and safeguarding for future bus access through the site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Ward Councillor J Martin spoke in support, welcoming regeneration, employment, affordable workspace, greener spaces and the applicant’s engagement with the community.

What members discussed

Members questioned environmental impacts, carbon reductions, data centre uses, affordable workspace timing and construction, and officers described mitigation and delivery arrangements.

“Councillor Martin expressed his full support for the scheme and welcomed the future employment and regeneration opportunities it would provide. In response to questions from the Committee, officers confirmed that the main environmental impacts associated with the data centre would include energy consumption, carbon emissions, plant noise, air quality and construction impacts.”

“Regarding affordable workspace, officers confirmed that this would be secured through the legal agreement and would be a requirement of the development. In response to a question regarding whether the affordable workspace could be delivered earlier in the construction programme, officers explained that, due to the proposed construction methodology, works would commence at the far end of the site and progress towards the affordable workspace building.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The Committee unanimously granted planning permission subject to conditions, completion of the Section 106 agreement and Stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London.

“UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED: That for the reasons set out in the committee report, planning permission for application REF 253874FUL was GRANTED subject to conditions, completion of s106 legal agreement and stage 2 referral to the Mayor of London.”

Minutes