More than 100 people attended a consultation meeting regarding plans to build a large-scale data centre on Green Belt land in Cheshire.
On Wednesday evening, Innova held an open event at the village hall in High Legh, near Lymm, to discuss plans for a 60-hectare data centre in Little Bollington.
Local resident Mike Reed, who is helping to organize community opposition to the proposal, described the project as a “massive industrial monstrosity.” He stated that residents left the meeting “deeply anxious” about the potential impact on their homes, businesses, and local wildlife.
The company said it was “pleased with the turnout” and “grateful to local residents for providing valuable feedback.”
Data centres are typically large warehouse-style facilities that house the servers used to process and distribute online information.
The proposed Spode Green data centre would be located on land owned by the Tatton Estate.
At the first public consultation meeting, Reed said, “People are very dissatisfied with this proposal.”
“This is the Green Belt on the edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation.”
“You cannot chip away at that area; otherwise, you will destroy the Green Belt across Cheshire.”
Another resident, Helen Dolan, voiced concerns regarding noise levels and the threat to wildlife.
A spokesperson for Innova said: “We were pleased with the turnout at last night’s initial consultation event and are grateful to local residents for providing valuable feedback on issues such as water usage, noise, landscape, drainage, and the Green Belt.”
“We are currently conducting technical assessments to address these matters in detail, including issues related to noise, water consumption, and energy requirements.”
Innova added that the project would bring numerous benefits to the area—including job opportunities, improved local transport links, and funding from a community benefit fund—which the company stated would be “allocated specifically to where it is needed most locally.”
According to Innova’s website, the next stage of the process will involve a second in-person consultation event later this year.
The company stated that it would share updates on the project’s progress following the consultation and the completion of environmental assessments.