Striking a balance between development and environmental issues

To speed up planning for AI infrastructure, the UK Government has dedicated AI Growth Zones as part of its ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, a broader strategy to position the UK as a global leader in AI technology. Culham in Oxfordshire has been designated as the first AI Growth Zone. The Culham Science Centre, home to the UK Atomic Energy Authority, was selected due to its existing energy capacity and available land, making it suitable for large-scale AI data centres.

However, AI data centres are known for their high water and energy consumption, potentially exacerbating existing environmental challenges. The proximity of this AI Growth Zone to the planned Abingdon reservoir, intended to address water shortages in the southeast of England, has sparked local concerns about flood risk and ecological habitats.

Environmental considerations in data centre development

While data centres are critical for the digital economy, their environmental impact cannot be ignored:

• Water Resources: Many data centres rely on significant amounts of potable water for cooling, which could strain local water supply networks, particularly during droughts. Waterman’s team has experience in the design of schemes where water is not used for evaporative cooling, eliminating the need for consumption of potable water for cooling. We have also been embracing and implementing the latest AI technology, smart systems, and strategic thinking to gear proposed developments towards a Net Zero Water Balance.
• Energy Consumption: Hyperscale data centres require significant power, raising concerns about renewable energy integration and carbon footprints. Our team has a track record in preparing Sustainability and Energy Strategies to achieve low carbon solutions and reduce strain on the national power grid. Using the excess heat in other systems like district heating is also to be considered.
• Noise and Light Pollution: Data centres are known for causing continuous noise which impacts local communities, and the environment. Our design solutions incorporate Hard Engineering and Nature Based Solutions to help mitigate these impacts.
• Land Use: The pressure to consider undeveloped, Greenbelt, and AONB land (as per footnote 7 of the NPPF) may lead to long-term ecological, biodiversity and flood risk consequences. Data Centres are usually large and therefore may lead to habitat biodiversity loss. Our team is providing architectural landscape solutions that increase the biodiversity on site as well as reducing the visual impact of the new building.
• E-Waste and Material Resources: The world of AI is moving rapidly, and this brings us many opportunities and benefits. Waterman’s Materials Passports help develop, operate, and decommission our buildings and data centres effectively through documentation and management of materials across the project lifecycle.
• Climate Change: Data centres, now designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), must consider disaster planning and climate adaptation. Across developments of every type, we’re implementing green and blue infrastructure strategies that mitigate over-heating effects, as well as using Nature Based Solutions for flood risk and/or noise management, and Local Green Energy Strategies to reduce reliance on the national power grid.