North Devon AI data centre plan sparks farmer concerns

Plans for one of Europe’s largest artificial intelligence (AI) data centres have sparked concern over the loss of productive farmland in North Devon, with farmers warning of potential impacts on food production, water supplies and the wider countryside.

Local campaigners fear the proposed development at Alverdiscott, north of Great Torrington, could remove 344ha of prime agricultural land from production at a time when food security is under increasing scrutiny.

Barbara Fryer, who farms an 80ha organic Aberdeen Angus beef enterprise around Langridge Ford, said the potential impact extended far beyond the loss of farmland.

See also: NFU Scotland raises concerns over Fife AI data centre

“If the AI centre goes ahead, it’s not only the loss of the prime agricultural land which concerns me,” she said.

“The centre would need to use up to a million litres of water a day, which is a phenomenal amount. But if this water is extracted from boreholes, it would cause huge damage to other local farmland by lowering the water table.

“Also, if you’re a tourist who would want to visit an area of scorched earth and solar panels? I fear Devon is turning away from being a green and pleasant land.”

Infrastructure strain 

Mrs Fryer also questioned whether local roads could cope with a development of this scale. “The adjoining road isn’t really fit for purpose as it is,” she said.

An online petition has been launched on change.org which claims the scheme would industrialise productive farmland, threaten wildlife and biodiversity, and place additional pressure on local roads, water and energy resources.

Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, a working farmer and Liberal Democrat Devon county and Torridge district councillor, has also highlighted the importance of protecting farmland.

“There are also concerns surrounding the loss of 800 acres of good agricultural land,” she said. “As cabinet member for rural affairs you will regularly see me talking about the importance of food production, and particularly how food security is national security.”

Xlinks’ view

Developer Xlinks is proposing the 1.5GW AI data centre alongside a 1.8GW battery energy storage facility.

It says the project would attract £12.2bn-£13.8bn of investment, support thousands of construction jobs and create between 600 and 1,200 permanent roles, while contributing up to £3.6bn a year to the economy.

The company has launched a public consultation before submitting separate planning applications for the data centre and battery storage facility to Torridge District Council.

Consultation events will be held across North Devon, with public information sessions in Weare Giffard (14 July), Great Torrington (15 July), Huntshaw (16 July) and Bideford (17 July).

Meanwhile, campaigners opposed to the project are holding a second public meeting tonight (Monday 29 June) from 7pm to 9pm at Great Torrington Town & Community Hall. It follows a meeting at the same venue on Thursday 25 June which attracted hundreds of residents.