Havering Friends of the Earth

Ditch the Data Centre

by Rosina Purnell

I am not against the positive uses of AI; I know that data centres are needed for AI to function. But here in Havering we need to consider the protection of our precious Green Belt for future generations to enjoy, as we all do now.

The Green Belt gives us fresh air, places to witness all kinds of wild life and freedom to relax in a non-urban environment near our homes and places of work. So, for the largest data centre in Europe to be built on Green Belt land in North Ockendon here in Havering is going to be nothing but a diminution of our well-being entitlement as residents.

The flagged-up promise by the developers of an "Eco Park" next to the huge warehouse buildings is an insult. Who is going to pack up a picnic together with ball games, baby buggies and fold up chairs and cart their family for a recreational afternoon next to a noisy, huge industrial site?

There will be nothing "Eco" about it using vast quantities of local electricity and water and nothing "Park" like without open vistas to enjoy the rural views now experienced in North Ockendon. There must be hundreds of brownfield sites across London which could accommodate this monstrosity. Why is our council going along with this destruction of a beautiful open space?

Why should Havering residents have to endure the noise, traffic pollution and disturbance this ten years of proposed building work will cause?

And when the AI bubble bursts, which it will, all we will be left with is a scarred landscape while the developers walk away with their vast profits made at our expense.

Put the data centre somewhere else and leave our Green Belt alone!