Fife Council - data centre flood proposals must be refused

ILI Cato Limited have already run into considerable opposition for their large scale proposals - some buildings could be 35 metres high - on 62 acres near Auchtertool.

They are seeking planning permission in principle but council officers have questioned whether it should be built there and have recommended refusal of the flooding proposals.

An image of what the data centre near Auchtertool would look like. (Image: Fife Council planning papers)

Scottish Government planning policy states new development "should be located outside the flood risk area unless the development falls under one of the exceptions".

An assessment submitted on behalf of ILI argues that the 600 megawatt data centre campus should be classed as 'essential infrastructure' which would mean "development can take place in the flood risk area".

It also added: "It should be noted that the risk of flooding can be reduced, but not totally eliminated."

However a response from Moir Gibson, from the structural services, flooding, shoreline and harbours team at the council, disagrees.

It states: "We are not convinced of the claim in the flood risk assessment that this site meets the requirement of 'essential infrastructure' as an exception under NPF4, Policy 22.

"Although the site location provides the infrastructure links the proposed data centre would require, it is not essential that it is located at this locus which is within an area of flood risk and requires land raising to accommodate the development.

"This does not follow the NPF4 Policy 22 intent of 'avoidance as a first principle'."

A look at the site near Auchtertool where, if approved, a new 600MW data centre will be built. (Image: Fife Council planning papers)

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency are also seeking further details on the "suggestion that there will be some land raising in the north of the site to create a platform that the data centre warehouses would be set on".

This would involve raising the ground level of a site by adding fill material, usually to make the land more usable, level or less flood-prone.

A data centre stores, processes and manages digital data and the IT equipment that runs online services.

A main reason that demand is rising is AI workloads, which use far more processing power than many traditional digital services.

The proposed development site is currently part of Camilla Farm, north-west of Auchtertool and around a mile away from the Mossmorran complex.

An area in the west of the site is said to be prone to flooding.

The Cato Data Centre, as it would be known, would include a complex of data hall buildings, plant, electricity substations, 24/7 security, fencing, cameras, gatehouses, internal roads and a new connection with the B925.

A look at the site near Auchtertool where, if approved, a new 600MW data centre will be built. (Image: Fife Council planning papers)

There would also be parking, pathways, associated ancillary infrastructure, as well as landscaping, ponds, new woodland, wetland, hedgerow and wildflower meadows.

The supporting statement on behalf of ILI said: "The location in Scotland gives greater energy efficiency, lower carbon intensity and better grid integration than other sites in the UK and elsewhere in the world."

It added: "Cato Data Centre will be the flagship of three interconnected data centres, known as ‘The Stoics’.

"The projects would provide essential infrastructure across the Central Belt where IT services can be delivered in close proximity to the majority of end users, and where sufficient land electrical connection and renewable energy supply are available."

The company said the development is "expected to generate £5 billion of inward investment" and there would be community benefits, with up to £250,000 for a new community hub and £500,000 towards local educational courses and apprenticeships, as well as jobs on the site itself.

However, Auchtertool Community Council are objecting to the proposal, along with several local politicians, and a packed public meeting was held recently where opposition was rife.

Data centres need huge amounts of electricity and cooling requires substantial volumes of water, there are also concerns about the visual impact of such huge buildings, security and noise.