Data centre extension at Union Park Up4 North Hyde Gardens, Hayes

“Proposal: Redevelopment of site to deliver extension to existing Union Park data centre campus consisting of (a) free standing data centre building; (b) energy, power, and water infrastructure; (c) site access and internal roads; (d) site security arrangements; (e) hard and soft, green landscaping; and (f) other ancillary and auxiliary forms of development.”

“The current application would sit on top of the original permission consented on the Union Park data centre campus. More specifically, it would supersede the element on the western-most section of the site, relating to data hall UP3. In effect, the development would extend the data centre building west and would facilitate an additional data hall called Union Park 4 (or UP4).”

“The proposed data centre development is an appropriate use within the Hayes Strategic Industrial Location. The significant uplift in floorspace will ensure the intensification of industrial capacity, which is supported by strategic policies. The proposed office floorspace will be ancillary to the primary data centre use and is therefore considered acceptable in principle.”

“The economic benefit of information and communications technology infrastructure is acknowledged and supported by national, regional and local planning policies. As noted under Paragraph 85 of the National Planning Policy Framework (2024), significant weight should be placed on the need to support economic growth and productivity.”

“Planning Officer Response A total of three letters of objection were received from neighbouring residents. The area is already full of industrial projects, and the proposal is overdevelopment.”

“Members raised concerns about fire safety due to past incidents in the area and sought confirmation that the fire statement had been independently reviewed. The applicant had submitted a fire statement by a qualified third-party assessor. The London Fire Brigade had not commented on the application. Officers confirmed the fire strategy would be further scrutinised via condition.”

“Members asked for confirmation of the building height, which was confirmed as 32.8 metres. Members also queried the lighting, which was confirmed as a 24/7 soft glow designed to be neighbour- and ecology-friendly.”

“Officers’ recommendations were moved, seconded and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.”

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved…”