Le Bourget Data Center Plan at Former H&M Site Faces Potential Mayoral Block

A planned data center in Le Bourget, France, could be blocked by the commune’s newly elected mayor. Mehdi Nezzar, who took office earlier this year, is calling for the cancellation of Segro’s 75MW project at a former H&M warehouse in the northeastern Paris suburb. A building permit was previously granted under the former administration, subject to further public consultation and environmental studies on noise and air pollution.

France’s environmental authority MRAe raised concerns about the planned Le Bourget data center, including the use of the refrigerant R1234ze, which belongs to the PFAS “forever chemicals” family. The agency also questioned limited waste heat recovery—planned for just 12MW of the site’s 75MW capacity—and potential impacts on air quality. The 25,300 sqm facility would include three buildings and 33 backup generators.

A webpage promoting the project and advertising a Q3 2028 opening date appears to have been removed from Segro’s website, with DCD seeking further clarification on the project’s status. Opposition from Mayor Mehdi Nezzar has been reinforced by a petition with around 18,000 signatures, citing concerns over impacts on nearby homes, schools, and daycare centers. Segro is also developing another data center in the Paris region, a 70MW facility planned for the southeastern suburb of Val-de-Marne.