Proposed Larbert Datacentre Faces Police Warning and Growing Public Opposition

Scottish police have issued a letter to planning consultancy Apatura, urging the developer of a proposed datacentre in Larbert—about 30 miles west of Edinburgh—to coordinate “robust security measures” to prevent “incursion” and potential disruption.

The Guardian

Scotland is currently reviewing at least 23 “hyperscale” datacentre projects, according to the Edinburgh-based charity Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS). If all proceeded, the combined power demand would exceed Scotland’s peak electricity usage by more than one and a half times. The Scottish National Party passed a motion this summer to freeze new datacentre approvals, a step that could affect the United Kingdom’s broader AI strategy.

The Guardian

Local resident Michael Maciocia warns that the development’s 200 diesel generators could emit significant nitrous oxide, threatening air quality. He points out that the site lies within 50 metres of a 56-bed care home for the terminally ill and within 400 metres of the 860-bed Fulton Valley Royal Hospital. Her grandson’s leukaemia adds a personal urgency to the campaign. Cecilia Rikap, a professor at University College London, frames the protest as symbolic opposition to generative AI, describing datacentres as “the physical manifestation of AI.”

The Guardian

The police letter, submitted as part of a planning consultation earlier this month, stresses the need for coordination with law-enforcement to safeguard the site. Apatura has responded by affirming its commitment to “world-leading safety and environmental standards” and to engaging with government and the local community throughout the planning process.

The Guardian

• “Where this datacentre is planned to be built, within 50 metres of one of the buildings is a 56-bed care home for the terminally ill … Within 400 metres, there’s the 860-bed Fulton Valley Royal hospital,” — Maciocia. Photograph

The Guardian

• “I live extremely close to the proposed site, and since this application was submitted it has become a huge part of my life,” — Hazel McQueen

The Guardian

• “I need to fight this for his future and the future we are leaving for him.” — Cecilia Rikap, a professor at University College London

The Guardian

• “We’re committed to developing data centres in line with world-leading safety and environmental standards and in compliance with all planning regulations. We recognise that there has been opposition to the planning application and remain committed to working closely with government and local community throughout the planning process to ensure concerns are listened to and carefully considered.” — Apatura, spokesperson

The Guardian