Edinburgh Council refuses planning permission for AI data centre

Edinburgh Council has rejected plans for an AI data centre proposed for the former RBS site in South Gyle.

Planning officers had recommended the project be approved but, at a meeting on Wednesday, councillors refused to grant planning permission for the development.

Concerns had been raised about the environmental impact of the centre by campaigners in the run-up to the decision.

The application had been for a “green data centre with associated infrastructure”, as well at the creation of a “public park with sports facilities”.

It argued “modern cooling technology” would allow the site to use less energy than traditional data centres.

But Action to Protect Rural Scotland specifically warned about the impact of the diesel generators which would provide back-up power to the centre. All data centres require 24/7 energy and so contingency plans are vital.

The charity estimated the site would require the equivalent energy of over 100,000 idling diesel cars each hour.

A report by the city’s chief planning officer recommended the application be granted, subject to some conditions.

The report said that “on balance, the merits of the proposal outweigh the infringements” of its policy on creating spaces with a “thriving” mix of uses.

However, the council did not require developers to submit an environmental impact assessment, which APRS said was “not usual” for data centre applications.

The council’s Development Management Sub-Committee met for several hours on Wednesday and unanimously voted against the application.