No data centres public consultation plan ‘huge’ Scottish Government fail: Greens
There are growing concerns about the amount of energy and water such centres use.
The Scottish Greens have accused the Scottish Government of a “huge failure” after learning it does not plan to hold a public consultation about data centres.
Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie wrote to First Minister John Swinney in early October calling on the Scottish Government to conduct a full public consultation as part of the development of national guidance on hyperscale AI data centre planning applications.
The Scottish Government has stopped short of placing a moratorium on the building of new data centres, but does now require that ministers are notified of any new applications as well as environmental impact assessments being required for all centres above 50mw.
Government guidance is expected to be published by the end of the year.
The Scottish Greens said that Mr Harvie has now had a response from Scotland’s finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP, which does not mention plans for any public consultation.
In the letter Ms Goodlad said: “In developing planning guidance, the Scottish Government will draw on targeted input from planning authorities, key agencies and relevant experts from within the scientific community to ensure it is informed by the best available evidence and expertise.
“Existing mechanisms within the planning system will continue to provide opportunities for communities and the public to influence decisions about future development proposals, and the guidance can help support that including through advice on early engagement with communities.
“There are already wide-ranging opportunities built into the planning system to ensure people and communities can get involved and have their say about the development and use of land in their area.”
Environmental campaigners have also called for a public consultation amid growing concerns about the energy and water use of such centres.
Mr Harvie said: “The Scottish Government have already ignored the overwhelming call from communities for an outright moratorium on new data centre applications.
“Now there’s a very real risk that they will sit behind closed doors letting the industry write new planning guidance, without letting communities have their say.
“This is a huge failure from the Scottish Government, allowing the corporate capture of our planning system at a time when communities should have a say in how our land, water and energy is being used.
“By refusing to carry out a robust public consultation ahead of issuing guidance, it seems that the loudest voices we can expect to hear will be the vested interests in the tech industry waiting to profit.
“There must be a clear commitment from the Government that the interests of communities will be paramount, not simply the desires of industry, in the forthcoming guidance.”
The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.