Buckinghamshire Council has approved Amazon’s plan for an 18-acre data centre beside the M25 in Iver, despite concerns about local air quality. The facility would replace 17 industrial and warehouse buildings at the Ridgeway industrial complex.
Council officers said demand for data centres, the jobs expected from the project and a forecast fall in traffic outweighed other considerations. Planning documents estimate the facility would create 60 permanent jobs, with additional employment during construction. The project is also expected to reduce vehicle movements.
Environmental health officers warned that 27 backup generators could release pollutants during testing and maintenance. Modelling predicted negligible effects at nearby locations assessed. The generators are expected to run mainly on processed vegetable fuel, with diesel available when that fuel cannot be used safely onsite.
A legal agreement requires Amazon to provide £600,382 for measures intended to offset additional pollution and to monitor generator emissions. Amazon also agreed to provide £73,000 for public walking routes. The council sought improvements to routes including the canal path and cleaner vehicles during construction.
The main building would be about 20 metres (65ft) tall. Plans also include a substation, water tanks, a generator yard, security fencing and parking. Amazon did not provide a statement for the article. Buckinghamshire Council said it had nothing further to add.
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