More than 100 turn out for data centre meeting amid concerns

More than 100 people attended a consultation on plans to build a large data centre on green belt land in Cheshire.

Innova held the drop-in session at High Legh Village Hall near Lymm on Wednesday evening to discuss plans to build a 60-hectare data centre in Little Bollington.

Local resident Mike Reed, who is helping to organise local opposition to the plan, described it as a "massive great industrial monster" and said locals left the meeting with "deep anxiety" over the potential impact on their homes, businesses and wildlife.

The company said it was "pleased with the turnout" and "grateful to local residents for providing valuable feedback".

Data centres are typically large warehouses that store servers which process and distribute information online.

The proposed Spodegreen Data Centre would occupy land owned by the Tatton Estate.

At the first public consultation, Reed said: "People are very upset at this proposal.

"It's green belt land at the edge of Manchester's conurbation.

"You can't start creeping into that, or you destroy the whole of the green belt throughout Cheshire."

Another resident, Helen Dolan, expressed her concern over noise levels and the threat to wildlife.

A spokesperson for Innova said: "We were pleased with the turnout at last night's first consultation event and grateful to local residents for providing valuable feedback around water, noise, landscape, drainage and green belt in particular.

"The technical assessments that will provide detailed answers to these questions, including those on noise, water use and energy demand, are being undertaken."

Innova added the project would bring benefits to the area, including jobs, improved local connectivity and money from the Community Benefit Fund, which the company said would "specifically direct funds locally where it is needed".

The next stage of the process will involve a second in-person consultation event later this year, according to the Innova website.

The company said it will share how the project has evolved after consultation feedback and environmental assessments.

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