Council's green light to £10bn data centre

APPROVAL has been granted for the first phase of building works on a £10 billion data centre planned on the Northumberland coastline.

- DANIEL HOLLAND Local democracy reporter [e-mail]

Councillors agreed to award planning permission yesterday for the first stage of development at QTS’s huge Cambois project, on the site of the former Blyth Power Station.

Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee unanimously backed the American firm’s plans for two of an eventual 10 data halls to be built.

Initial earthworks began on the vacant plot in October and councillors were told yesterday that quick progress could be expected on the scheme, which will be staffed by around 400 people once fully operational and could indirectly create up to 2,700 jobs in related tech industries.