Data centre extension at Land South of Westwells Road, Neston

What was proposed

A new data centre campus extension would include infrastructure, access roads, security, diverted rights of way and landscaping.

“PL/2024/05527 Site Address Land South of Westwells Road, Westwells Road, Neston, SN13 9GB Proposal Redevelopment of site to deliver extension to existing Spring 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) diverted Public Rights of Ways (f) hard and soft, green and blue, landscaping and (g) other ancillary and auxiliary forms of…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The vacant brownfield site covers about 7.37 hectares, with housing to the east, commercial uses north and open countryside west and south.

“The application site lies to the south-west of Westwells, which in turn is located to the south- west of Corsham. The application site has an area of approximately 7.37 hectares. The site was originally created as a wartime military camp, but it ceased use soon after the end of WWII and the temporary buildings such as huts were removed at some stage.”

“The surrounding areas consist of a variety of uses with residential properties to the East along Westwells road, whilst to the North are areas of commercial development including other Data Centres and to the West and South are open rural landscapes which are largely undeveloped.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

The site has a history of refused industrial schemes, approved development proposals and a recently approved data centre to the north.

“Planning Reference Proposal / Summary Decision N/88/03249/FUL Industrial Development Refused 9/1/1989 N/88/01337/OUT OUTLINE – Industrial development with means of access and landscaping Refused 27/6/1988 N/05/02094/OUT The Development of a Retirement Care Village Comprising: Bed Care Home; Extra Care Apartments; Supported Living Units; Covered Car Parking Spaces; Associated Community Facilities Including a Community Activity Centre; Retail/Administration.”

“Wellness Centre (Pool, Sauna, Treatment Rooms etc) With Associated Landscaping and Infrastructure; The Outline Application Consists of The Surrounding Remainder of the Site for a Further 216 Assisted Living Units with Associated Landscaping and Infrastructure. N/10/04093/FUL to Alter Timing of Provision of Communal Facilities.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Most public responses objected, citing traffic, drainage, flooding, wildlife, noise, lighting, appearance, scale and infrastructure concerns, while consultees generally raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Parish/Town Council: Resolved: that, whilst the Town Council had no objection to the proposal in principle, it did have objections to the amended plans as they did not address concerns raised at meetings 17.07.24 and 30.10.24, including: i. That the applicant be encouraged to place a covenant on the land to the south of the site to ensure it is not built on in the future. ii.”

“Concerns about the amount of traffic the development will generate (particularly during construction) but also when running. • Concern that the site will not be drained properly and the site will flood as there has been flooding in the area in the past. • The way the drainage and flooding has been assessed is not correct.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three representatives supporting the applicant spoke, while the three registered objectors chose not to speak.

Why members deferred it

Members considered late technical submissions, unresolved drainage issues and the risk of making a decision without enough information for legal confidence.

“He explained that significant representations in objection to the application were received following agenda publication. Officers had responded to these. However, further representations were then received over the weekend prior to the meeting, including a 17 page rebuttal of the officer report. These were picked up at the start of the day on Monday 15 December 2025, the day prior to the meeting.”

“Nigel Hewitson, the legal advisor to the Committee stated that he could not in good conscience advise that the Committee had all the information required to make a sound decision. Any decision made to grant or refuse the application would be at risk of a Judicial Review (JR). It was not in Wiltshire Council’s or the applicant’s interest for an unsound decision to be made.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee resolved to defer the application to its January or February 2026 meeting while additional information was assessed.

“Following the debate and discussion the motion to defer the application was voted on and it was:”

“To defer the current application to the January or February 2026 meeting of the Committee, in order to assess additional information received to ensure that a robust and legally compliant decision can be made by the council.”

Minutes