North Lincolnshire should be designated an AI Growth Zone, the council has argued.
In a statement yesterday, North Lincolnshire Council confirmed that the region has seen boosted private-sector investment in data centres, with three ‘significant market-led investments’ having been delivered recently.
Planning permission has already been acquired for two of the investments, while the third is being progressed separately.
The increased interest ‘demonstrates the area’s potential to become a nationally important centre for the infrastructure needed to power Britain’s growing AI economy’, says council leader Cllr Rob Waltham.
As a result, the local authority has called on the Government to back North Lincolnshire as an AI Growth Zone, but emphasised that developers need to respond to concerns about energy and water use to prove their benefit to communities.
Cllr Waltham highlighted the large amounts of energy required by data centres and suggested that the potential for the developments to support agriculture, horticulture, and other local industries should be explored.
‘Developers need to engage with communities and provide credible answers. Being pro-investment does not mean ignoring legitimate concerns’, he said.
Cllr Waltham also outlined the ability for data centres to create business growth, skills, and jobs for young people.
He added: ‘North Lincolnshire has the land, energy, industrial capability and private-sector appetite – and, of course, steel for the buildings.
‘The investment is already coming. Government now needs to recognise that momentum, designate North Lincolnshire as an AI Growth Zone and help us turn it into something even bigger.’
