Over 50,000 oppose Google data centre plan in Essex

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:13 · Archive

More than 50,000 people have signed a petition against a proposed Google data centre on a protected wildlife site in Thurrock, Essex.

More than 50,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans for a new Google data centre on the Arena Essex Raceway site in Thurrock. The petition, titled 'Save Arena Essex – Tell Google to search elsewhere', was started by campaigner Paul Hetherington more than a year ago and has now gathered more than 52,000 signatures.

Arena Essex was designated a Local Wildlife Site in 2006 and is home to more than 687 species of invertebrates and 439 plant species, including some of the UK's rarest. Emily Buttress from Essex Wildlife Trust said the current proposal would destroy a Local Wildlife Site that is home to incredibly rare species and some of the rarest habitat in the country.

Essex Wildlife Trust has submitted its third detailed objection to the proposed development through the planning process. The Trust is deeply concerned about negative impacts a hyperscale data centre campus would create, including impacts on the local community due to water use, energy use and warming effects on surrounding land. It also cited insufficient research into the long-term impacts of such buildings.

Over 50,000 oppose Google data centre plan in Essex — Image: Colchester Gazette

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How it is being reported

50,000 sign petition against potential data centre on Essex wildlife havenMore than 50,000 people have now signed a petition opposing a potential Google data centre in Thurrock, Essex.Colchester Gazette · 9 Oct, 12:46
50,000 sign petition against potential data centre on Essex wildlife havenMore than 50,000 people have now signed a petition opposing a potential Google data centre in Thurrock, Essex.Echo (Basildon) · 9 Oct, 12:46
50,000 sign petition against potential data centre on Essex wildlife havenMore than 50,000 people have now signed a petition opposing a potential Google data centre in Thurrock, Essex.Brentwood Guardian · 9 Oct, 12:46

In this story: Google · Essex Wildlife Trust · Thurrock · Arena Essex Raceway · Paul Hetherington · Emily Buttress

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