Environmental approach
The project team is considering potential environmental effects carefully and will seek to avoid, reduce or mitigate impacts where possible.
Air quality and mitigations
Under power strategy Scenario 1, where the energy centre would provide on-site power before a future grid connection is available, extensive air quality and noise emissions testing is ongoing to help inform the technology selection.
Air quality modelling undertaken to date has continually shown that combined emissions from the data centre campus and energy centre (Scenario 1) are within relevant limits for human health set by Defra.
Stack heights are being refined to reduce potential visual effects while ensuring air quality impacts remain below regulatory thresholds.
Emissions and mitigations
Measures to reduce greenhouse gases and other atmospheric emissions during construction and operation are being developed as the design and assessment work progresses.
Further information about this is included in the Community Consultation Environmental Report (CCER).
Noise pollution and mitigations
Once operational, noise from the data centre campus would mainly come from cooling, ventilation and power equipment. Noise from the energy centre (Scenario 1) would mainly come from turbines or engines, stacks and associated cooling and ventilation equipment.
Noise modelling is ongoing to determine noise levels at local residential properties, including during the night time. This will help to identify where noise reduction measures are needed. The design will incorporate attenuators and silencers on cooling units, fans and back-up generators. High-performance silencers would also be used on energy centre (Scenario 1) noise sources such as stacks and air vents, with turbines, engines and other mechanical equipment enclosed where required.
Vehicle movements and site works may also generate noise during construction. Core construction working hours are expected to be 08:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays, with no work on Sundays or Bank Holidays. British Standards for managing construction noise and vibration will be followed wherever possible.
Use of water and mitigations
Data centres require cooling in order to operate. Cooling of the data centre campus is likely to be predominantly through air cooling technology, with the potential for an element of water cooling to satisfy peak demand but within the confines of the available water supply. Where water cooling technology is to be used, the aim will be to maximise the use of raw water and rainwater harvesting.
Odour, ground conditions and mitigations
Because the site includes former landfill, excavation may generate odour during some construction activities.
An Odour Management Plan will be prepared to set out how the construction contractor will assess, reduce and, where possible, prevent potential odour emissions from the site.
Further ground investigation will be undertaken to confirm the extent and composition of material to be excavated. A remediation strategy will also be prepared to ensure the project does not pose unacceptable risks to people, the built environment or the natural environment, including ecological features and water resources.
Landscape and ecology management and monitoring
An Outline Landscape and Ecological Management Plan will be submitted as part of the DCO. This will include a habitat management and monitoring plan, which will set out how habitat creation, enhancement, long-term management and invasive species management will be delivered. This will include monitoring of habitat works over a 30-year period from the point at which the project becomes operational.
Further information about this is included in the Community Consultation Environmental Report (CCER).