New tech centre plan could create hundreds of jobs

FACILITY WOULD PUT REGION 'AT HEART OF GLOBAL AI REVOLUTION'

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT

A “GROUND-BREAKING” technology centre could put Teesside at the heart of a global Al revolution, say developers.

Stockton-based tech company Latos says its first data centre could be a “pivotal moment” for the region which could create 150 jobs and support an additional 400 jobs in the local supply chain. It has applied for planning permission to build the centre near Westland Way on Preston Farm Industrial Estate near Thornaby and Oxbridge, Stockton.

The “benchmark facility, meant to meet the demands of AI and advanced computing, will consist of two commercial units, plants and substations with fencing, landscaping, road access and other works, with customer and staff offices and welfare facilities.

It is touted as “precision-engineered for urban and remote sites” and “future-ready infrastructure for Al-driven demand”.

The developer says it will meet changing demands with quicker data, improved security, greater reliability and increased storage capacity at a time where “every aspect of life has now become dependent on the use of online data”.

Agent Create Architecture says in a design and access statement: “The proposal is to create a new-build Latos data facility.