Scottish councils receive no guidance on AI data centre pause

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 11:31 · Archive

Scottish councils have received no guidance from the Scottish Government following a September vote to pause hyperscale data centre planning applications.

Scottish Parliament voted on 16 September to pause planning applications for hyperscale data centres until the Scottish Government issues new national planning and spatial guidance, expected by the end of the year. Multiple councils with live applications have since confirmed they have received no guidance from the Scottish Government following this vote.

Scottish Borders Council has a planning application before it for a 225MW hyperscale data centre near Duns, proposed by Sunlaws Development Company. Fife Council is considering a 600MW hyperscale data centre in Auchtertool proposed by ILI Group, with a decision expected imminently. Both councils confirmed through Freedom of Information requests that they had not received any correspondence from the Scottish Government regarding the pause and new guidance.

The Scottish Greens warned that the lack of guidance creates uncertainty. Green MSP Patrick Harvie said Parliament voted for a pause and local authorities should have had an explanation of what this means in practice, or a planning direction issued while guidance is being drafted. The First Minister previously insisted that ministerial statements would be reflected in communications from the Chief Planner who issues guidance to councils. Campaigners plan large-scale protests next month opposing the data centre developments, citing concerns about energy and water shortages and environmental damage.

How it is being reported

• Questions as councils reveal no government guidance on Scotland's data centre pauseTHE Scottish Government has been urged to provide clarity after councils with live hyperscale data centre applications confirmed they have received no guidance on Holyrood’s vote to pause applicationsThe National · 18 Oct, 11:06
• Councils 'receive no correspondence' from Scot Gov on monster AI data centre pauseScots campaigners will take to the streets in their thousands next month opposing the controversial developments.Daily Record · 18 Oct, 04:30

In this story: Scottish Government · Scottish Parliament · Scottish Borders Council · Fife Council · Scottish Greens · Patrick Harvie · Scotland

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