Amazon Data Centre Gets Green Light Near M25 Amid Environmental Fears

Amazon has received approval to build a massive data centre near the M25 in Buckinghamshire, despite concerns over its environmental impact. The development will replace existing industrial and warehouse units on the Ridgeway Distribution Centre in Iver.

The site is located in an air quality management area, which raised worries about air pollution from 27 back-up generators that would produce emissions during routine testing and maintenance. Air-quality modelling predicted a negligible effect at the locations assessed, but officers acknowledged this did not mean the development would have no impact.

Buckinghamshire Council approved the plans on Monday after considering factors such as employment benefits and the expected reduction in vehicle movements. The local authority concluded that these outweighed concerns about air quality and traffic. A legal agreement has secured £600,382 towards projects to offset any air pollution from the site, with Amazon also agreeing to contribute £73,000 towards improvements to public rights of way.

The data centre's main building would be approximately 20 metres high, and the 18-acre scheme includes a substation, water tanks, a generator yard, security fencing, and parking. Officers said the development could support 60 full-time jobs on site, alongside jobs created during construction. Amazon declined to provide a statement for inclusion in this article.