Greenock Campaigners Slam Data Centre Plans at Former IBM Site

Campaigners have spoken out against plans to build a massive data centre at the former IBM site in Greenock, Scotland. Slate Island Developments Ltd is behind the proposal, which would see the construction of an 80,000-square-metre facility with a height of up to 18 metres.

According to planning consultancy Pegasus Group, there is already 'strong interest' from a data centre operator to use the site, which was previously considered for residential development. However, campaigners claim that the application lacks sufficient detail and are calling for an immediate moratorium on such projects until full Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are made mandatory.

Kat Jones, director of countryside charity Action to Protect Rural Scotland, stated that 'there is so much missing in this proposal' and that Inverclyde council should halt the process until more information is provided. Matt Bernico, a local organiser for No AI Data Centres, Inverclyde, added that the community should not be treated as a 'playground for Big Tech and billionaire land developers.'

The plans do not indicate the exact power demand of the facility but are expected to be in the range of 200-300 megawatts. Data centres have been classified as critical infrastructure since 2024, making it easier to gain planning permission. At least 23 other sites across Scotland are currently identified for development.