Landscaping and green spaces
Enhancing biodiversity, improving green spaces, and minimising visual impact are central to the landscaping approach for the Project
The proposed layout of buildings and roads balances considerations of landscape, visual impact, heritage views and ecology.
There are many opportunities to deliver improvements and we welcome further input from the community on what these could be.
Soil will be excavated so that data centre buildings are located below existing ground level, and soil used to create new embankments with planting to reduce visual impact
Across the wider site, the majority of trees, shrubs and hedgerows will be retained, with buildings positioned to make the most of natural screening
A diverse mix of new vegetation and habitats will be created to improve diversity, build climate resilience and provide additional landscape ‘buffers’, including with nearby heritage assets
During construction, there will be careful control of the height and location of construction materials to reduce visibility of construction works
Proposed nature trails
The illustrative landscape masterplan shows how new and improved routes could help people experience the site’s varied landscape, wildlife and heritage.
Red kite
The Red Kite trail would climb through open grassland to an elevated viewpoint, creating opportunities to watch red kites and other birds of prey over the wider countryside.
Newt
The Newt trail would pass through wet woodland and existing pools on the eastern part of the site.
Deer
The Deer trail would weave between woodland and grassland, with quieter places to pause.
Bat
The Bat trail would follow more enclosed routes through mature woodland in the eastern part of the site.
Hare
The Hare trail would bring together elements of the site’s history and ecology, providing a varied route through the eastern part of the site.
Damselfly
The Damselfly trail would follow linear waterbodies in the western part of the site, providing opportunities to discover wetland plants and wildlife.