Havering Council’s proposal to develop a data centre on green belt land has been met with resistance from residents and local Reform party representatives.

The local authority argues that the data centre could deliver 9,000 jobs and provide opportunities for economic growth and investment, generating £13.5m within the borough each year.

The council is collaborating with Digital Reef to develop the proposal, which has been drafted as a Local Development Order by the Local Planning Authority and still requires planning approval.

The proposal includes plans to build a 400,000 square meter data centre to support the expansion of new digital infrastructure and promote the development of local skills in the ‘science and technology, sustainability and data economy sectors’.

To improve public access to green space, the council also plans to develop an ‘113-hectare ecology park’ on the site.

However, according to local action group, Havering Friends of the Earth, ‘the ‘eco park’ is [not] an acceptable replacement for the existing land’.

Group co-ordinator Ian Pirie has emphasised the ‘serious environmental impact’ of building on green belt land and said data centres ‘are more appropriately placed in an industrial environment’, whilst arguing that ‘the promises of a boost to the local economy, and jobs, are simply nonsense.’

Pirie added that the Local Development Order process was ‘totally inappropriate’ and ‘acts in the interest of the developer’ because residents have to date not had enough opportunities to discuss the development with representatives.

Cllr Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: ‘Whichever planning route is taken it will include public consultation where all our residents can express their views.

‘If the LDO is path is agreed, it is still an extensive process and includes a comprehensive Environment Impact Assessment.’