United Kingdom: UK Government proposes data center changes

The UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is planning to propose reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework including around the development of data centers.  With regards to data centers, the proposals would reform the way that the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime applies to onshore wind, solar, data centers, laboratories, gigafactories, and water projects.

“The proposed changes... seek to ensure the planning system meets the needs of a modern and changing economy, by making it easier to build laboratories, gigafactories, data centers, and digital infrastructure, and the facilities needed to support the wider supply chain,” the consultation said, and “giving more explicit recognition of the need to support proposals for new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure (including data centers and electricity network grid connections) that are key to the growth of these industries.”

Richard Ford, planning law expert at Pinsent Masons, said: “One of the most striking proposed reforms is the move towards a “technicolor green belt,” with different rules for brownfield green belt, the new 'grey' belt, and the more traditional green belt. The detail around the changes is significant with a requirement for green belt to be reviewed if housing needs are not being met, a sequential approach to green belt release. Prioritizing brownfield and grey belt and a viability-led approach to the benefits that must be realized for grey belt to be released."