Microsoft’s former UK HQ site set for £200m data centre project
Plans have been submitted to Wokingham Borough Council for a £200m data centre at the site of Microsoft’s former UK headquarters in Reading. Property owner Mapeley proposes demolishing three office buildings at Thames Valley Park in Earley to make way for the data centre, which would reach up to 30.5m in height, equivalent to a 10-storey building. The development includes data centre buildings, on-site power generation, backup generators, and office space. Microsoft is set to vacate the site by the end of 2027 when its lease expires.
The proposed facility could require up to 110MW of electricity, but only 1.8MW of National Grid capacity is currently available. Developers suggest using natural gas for on-site power generation until the local electricity network is upgraded. The plan also includes using heat from the data centre to potentially supply a future district heating network, benefiting nearby locations like the Royal Berkshire Hospital and the University of Reading.
The £200m investment aims to create up to 65 jobs and reduce daily vehicle movements by around 1,700 compared to the site’s previous office use. Despite these benefits, the proposal has faced public objections over concerns about noise, emissions, and wildlife impacts, particularly due to the site’s proximity to Thames Valley Park Nature Reserve. Supporters argue the former Microsoft campus is an ideal location for critical digital infrastructure.
A biodiversity assessment claims the development would achieve a net gain of over 22%, exceeding the government’s 10% requirement. Wokingham Borough Council is expected to make a decision by March 2027.