MORE than 800 people have now objected to plans to build a huge AI data centre in Larbert, which would be just 20 metres away from a care home and close to housing and a hospital.
Many of those objecting fear the data centre will create noise and pollution for those living nearby while using a huge amount of water and energy.
If approved, the centre would have its own electricity sub-station, as well as 200 industrial-scale diesel generators to provide back-up in case of a power failure or a lack of electricity.
The Larbert site is one of 21 being proposed in Scotland but campaigners say that it will affect more people than any of the others that are currently being considered.
Hazel McQueen, who lives just 20 metres away from the proposed site, said she and her neighbours have “grave concerns” about the impact the development would have.
She said: “My concerns include significant noise pollution from cooling systems, plant equipment and backup generators operating both day and night.
“I live right next to a busy road that leads onto the motorway but come 8 or 9pm the road can be very quiet.
“This monster will operate 24/7 so the humming and vibrations will be felt and heard throughout the night.”
Hazel, who has lived in Larbert all her life, has seen it transform from a small village into a large town, with the infrastructure often struggling to match the pace of development.
She added that friends in the USA have alerted her that AI data centres are causing “major problems for locals”.
“I think it’s preposterous that they are even considering building an AI Centre near so many homes. We don’t want this on our doorstep!”
The plans are now available on Falkirk Council’s planning portal and any objections, or supportive comments, should be made using the online form, by June 25.
But campaigners say this is not giving nearly enough time to people to read and understand the 153 documents that have been submitted in support of the application.
A Facebook page, Say No to Larbert Data Centre, saw more than 200 people joining on the first day.
Michael Maciocia, who is now retired but worked in the tech industry for more than 40 years, also has major concerns about the impact that the centre will have on the local community.
The site proposed is close to Glenbervie Business Park, with the M876 to the north and houses to the south.
Close by are thousands of homes and Michael says the proposed data centre will have an impact on all of those residents with the noise – particularly when the generators kick in, as he thinks they inevitably will.
He is also concerned that the construction will affect the routes to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for emergency vehicles.
Tasha Marsden, who has close family in Larbert, is also worried about the impact the data centre will have on her elderly relatives.
And with so many separate applications being dealt with by local authorities she thinks it is time for politicians to step up and set out clear national standards that will ensure the environment and local communities are protected from any damage.
Action to Protect Rural Scotland, a group that is campaigning against data centres across the country, is now calling for a moratorium by the Scottish Government in order to properly understand the impact that the hyperscale centres will have.
The developer, Apatura, says in the planning application that the centre will use a closed-loop water cooling system that will “significantly reduce water consumption”.
It adds that the energy produced could be used to heat local homes, businesses or other buildings, including swimming pools, although discussions on this are still ongoing.
The applicant also says that the proposed development will generate “substantial economic and socio-economic benefits, including employment, inward investment, and supply chain opportunities”.
Scotland, it says, is an ideal place for such centres as it has a “cooler, stable climate” and already produces a significant amount of renewable energy.
But campaigners are sceptical about whether the number of jobs created will be worth the huge environmental impact that the centres will have.
As opposition grows to the scale of data centres being proposed across Scotland, campaigners say that they have many questions they would like answers for before any planning permission can be granted.
The planning application admits that “given the rapid pace of change in digital infrastructure and associated technologies, it is necessary for the proposed development to retain an appropriate degree of post-determination flexibility”.
It wants the local authority to agree to a condition that would mean the final layout and operational details would be agreed after the application has been approved.
Concerns have also been raised that several neighbours were not notified about the plans and only heard this week about the application.
Falkirk Council has stressed that the application is in its early stages and neighbours still have plenty of opportunity to make a comment.
A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “People do not need to have received a neighbour notification letter to comment on a planning application. Any member of the public can submit comments through the Council’s planning portal, and all comments will be considered by the Planning Authority.
“We recognise that this is a significant application with a large amount of supporting information.
“The statutory period for comments is 21 days, ending on July 2, but the Council does not operate a hard cut-off at the end of that period. Comments can continue to be submitted up until the application is determined, although early submission is recommended.
“As a national development, the application will be considered by Planning Committee and will be subject to a pre-determination hearing before any decision is made.”
