Data Centre Development Near Potters Bar Highlights Policy Changes

Efforts to expand digital infrastructure in the UK have intersected with planning and environmental policy, as seen in the proposed data centre near Potters Bar. The project reflects recent changes in land classification and infrastructure priorities.

In September 2024, a developer submitted an application to build an industrial-scale data centre on farmland near South Mimms, close to Potters Bar. Hertsmere Borough Council granted outline planning permission for this facility in January 2025, following the application process.

The land was purchased by Equinix, a multinational data-centre operator, in October 2025. Equinix has indicated that construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the facility referred to as DC01UK in planning documents.

The UK government reclassified certain underutilised green belt land as “grey belt” and designated data centres as critical national infrastructure. These policy adjustments have facilitated the planning and approval process for data centre developments such as the one near Potters Bar.

What the numbers show

• The proposed data centre would occupy 34.4 hectares, or about 85 acres
• Up to two million square feet of space is planned for the facility
• Hertsmere Council estimated the construction value at £3.75 billion
• The project is projected to generate £21.4 million in annual business rates revenue
• A power reservation of 400 MVA from the National Grid is required

Local residents have formed a Facebook group to coordinate opposition to the development, with over 1,000 people joining to object. Formal objections and protests have been organised at various stages of the planning process by community members.

Equinix has stated plans to retain a portion of the site as green space in response to community concerns. This measure is intended to address some of the issues raised by local residents regarding the development.

The planning and approval of the Potters Bar data centre illustrate the impact of recent government policy changes on land use and infrastructure projects. The designation of data centres as critical infrastructure and the reclassification of land have played a role in enabling such developments.

Community engagement and procedural objections continue as the project advances through planning and construction phases. The situation near Potters Bar demonstrates how infrastructure expansion and local interests intersect under evolving policy frameworks.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.