Data centre campus at Land West of Merlin Way, North Weald Bassett

The site and surroundings

The approximately 21-hectare site is at North Weald Airfield, includes the listed control tower, and is mainly used for parking and driving experiences.

“There are three existing buildings on the Site: The Grade II Listed Air Traffic Control Tower, a single-storey building used as the airfield fire station, and a small security unit/gatehouse at the Site entrance.”

“The application site is located within land that has been designated for employment use (classes E(g), B2, and B8) within Policy P6 (North Weald Bassett) of the Adopted Local Plan under reference NWB.E4A (North Weald Airfield).”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions covered a new control tower and rescue building, a substation enclosure, a non-material amendment and the environmental assessment scoping opinion.

“Reference Description Decision EPF/0318/25 Enclosure for substation providing electrical infrastructure to serve the permitted Control Tower Building under permission EPF/0297/24 Approve with Conditions EPF/0274/25 Non-Material Amendment for EPF/0297/24. (New Control Tower Building (CTB) and Rescue and Fire Fighting Service Building (RFFS) including parking shelter for operational vehicles, access to the perimeter road, car parking and associated works).”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal nationally important, economically beneficial and suitable for allocated employment land, with conditions addressing its identified impacts.

“The application site is allocated for employment use under Policy NWB.E4A within the adopted Local Plan and lies within the London–Stansted–Cambridge Innovation Corridor, an area identified for advanced digital and technological investment.”

“Overall, it is considered that the public, economic, and social benefits of the proposal; particularly its contribution to national infrastructure, local employment, technological innovation, and the sensitive reuse of a heritage asset; outweigh the identified townscape impacts and the less than substantial harm to the heritage significance of the Grade II listed Air Control Tower.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Several technical consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while conservation and urban design officers raised heritage, height, massing and design concerns.

“Appropriate mitigation measures should also be included if outline consent is granted. Essex Police Should adhere to secure by design principles ECC Green Infrastructure No objection subject to conditions ECC Ecology No objection subject to conditions ECC Highways The Highway Authority considers the development acceptable in transport terms, provided the developer funds bus service upgrades, installs real-time bus information, implements a Workplace Travel Plan, and follows…”

“LLFA- No objection subject to conditions Fire Brigade No objection, Final proposal should accord with section 13 and Section 15 of the Essex Act 1987 and with the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. Thames water No objection subject to conditions EFDC Contaminated Land No objection subject to condition EFDC Noise Team No objection subject to noise report being conditioned as part of the planning consent.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from the applicant, a North Weald Town Councillor, an objector and Ward Councillors L Burrows and T Bromwich.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the planning merits of the application after receiving the officer presentation and representations.

“The Committee then discussed the planning merits of the application.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted for the officer recommendation to approve the application.

“The Committee then voted for the officer recommendation to approve the application.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved with conditions.

“RESOLVED. The Committee voted to APPROVE the application with CONDITIONS.”

Minutes