Oxford News
Outrage over ‘shameful’ AI data centre plans near Burford
A planning application for a new AI data centre in Shilford, on land and in barns which was previously used by an agricultural business, has been lodged with West Oxfordshire District Council.
The proposed data centre would be operated by Brakenwood Family Pension Trust and is being put forward by AIVS, an AI infrastructure firm focused on building centres in the UK.
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But it has received a huge number of objections from locals, with more than 180 people leaving comments on the planning application expressing their concerns.
Lily Crozier, of Carterton, said: “Building a data centre in Shilton not only damages the local wildlife and ecology, but adds to the destruction of human and animal habitats worldwide.
“The environmental damage data centres such as this pose far outweigh any minute positives, and this is not the stance West Oxfordshire should be taking. Shameful.”
Authorities like Shilton Parish Council and Thames Valley Police also voiced their opposition, and council departments like water, drainage and contamination said stringent conditions should be attached to any permission granted by the council.
The police’s ‘designing out crime officer’, Kevin Cox, issued a ‘holding objection’ to the plans on the grounds that there is insufficient information on the security measures protecting the data centre, as it would ‘store and process data linked to government communication networks’ and would likely be designated ‘critical national infrastructure’.
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The applicant responded to many of the commentors, emphasising that because the technology is ‘changing rapidly’, only an outline application has been submitted – leaving most of the application’s technical matters for a more ‘detailed design’ stage of the planning.
The facility itself is not expected to become operational until after 2032 and would take at least 12 months to build, with the applicant adding: “It would be inappropriate to commit the scheme to today’s server, cooling and energy technology when these systems are developing rapidly.”
They did say, however, that designs do not currently envision large volumes of water being required for cooling or abstraction, and instead ‘air-cooled, closed-loop or factory-contained systems are being explored’.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has advised that an additional 30 MW of dedicated electricity supply – routed separately to the normal grid that supplies homes and businesses – would be required, at an additional infrastructure cost of approximately £30million.
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Because the application is for ‘strategic digital infrastructure’ and the electrical supply required, the applicant requested the plans are considered for call-in by the Secretary of State.
The government’s powers to call-in an application are generally only used if planning issues ‘of more than local importance’ are involved.
If it is called in, a planning inspector will hear the plans at a public inquiry, and a decision on whether to grant or refuse permission will be published by the government.
Amid a surge in Japanese knotweed spreading rapidly across the UK, a property expert has warned that tackling the plant yourself could land you a £5k fine or imprisonment.
Jack Malnick, Managing Director of Sell House Fast, said: “Japanese knotweed is one of the UK’s most problematic weeds that can spread up to seven meters long, take up to three years to treat and can drastically reduce a property’s market value.
“Even if treated, this highly invasive plant can still deter potential buyers. It may be tempting to cut costs and remove knotweed yourself, but this could have disastrous consequences for your property value as well as impact your finances and your legal situation.”
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Mr Malnick added that homeowners should avoid DIY removal and prepare to pay up to £5k.
“It is advised not to attempt a DIY removal, due to the environmental restrictions for disposal,” he said.
“Removal costs depend on the size of the infestation, treatment method, and site access.
“The average cost of knotweed removal is between £1.5k and £2k, but a full evacuation can cost up to £20k.
“The UK average house price is currently around £270,080.
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“Estimates from Environet suggest Japanese knotweed can reduce property values by at least 5 per cent, meaning that homeowners could, at best, lose around £13,504 in value alone.
“However, with potential treatment costs of up to £10k or more for severe cases, early treatment is usually far cheaper than leaving the infestation unmanaged.
Wrong disposal could land you a £5K fine or imprisonment, as Mr Malnick added: “Improper disposal of invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed is not merely reckless; it is a criminal offence.
“The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes it an offence to plant or cause Japanese knotweed to grow in the wild.
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“Offenders may face fines of up to £5k and/or six months’ imprisonment, or on indictment, up to two years’ imprisonment and an unlimited fine.
“Government guidance says that the plant must be transported only to specially licensed landfill or incineration facilities authorised to handle hazardous invasive waste.
“Failure to do so risks not only environmental pollution but prosecution under UK law.
“If Japanese knotweed from a neighbouring property spreads onto your land, you are not liable. In fact, you may be entitled to claim damages.”
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According to a key Court of Appeal ruling, it was confirmed that landowners can be held responsible for allowing Japanese knotweed to spread.
You can also pursue compensation for loss of value and the cost of removal, and claims may still succeed even where knotweed has been present for many years.
“Start by raising the issue with your neighbour, explaining their liability and ensuring they carry out professional removal,” added Mr Malnick.
“If your neighbour is uncooperative, you can contact the council’s Japanese knotweed team or environmental services to escalate the issue.”
As of April 2028, the current mix of county, city and district councils in the county will be no more as they are replaced by three unitary authorities.
The proposals were announced by the Labour government last week and will see Oxford City Council expand to create a Greater Oxford Council, taking parishes from Cherwell, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
A North Oxfordshire Council will also be created with the remainder of Cherwell, along with West Oxfordshire with Ridgeway Council taking up South Oxfordshire, the rest of Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
Despite the massive changes to local government though, two major infrastructure projects in the county are expected to proceed as planned.
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The Bicester asylum accommodation centre is unlikely to be impacted after plans were announced by the Home Office to house about 1,200 single adult men.
The project has faced strong local opposition over concerns about safety, service capacity, and community impact.
The new council will take over the site, its conditions, and the responsibility for managing its impact.
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The council will also be in charge of negotiating with the government over any expansion or extension.
Meanwhile, the success of the Universal UK resort at Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, will depend heavily on regional transport and tourism strategies.
The new councils will decide whether to pursue spin-off investment, such as hotels, attractions, and road upgrades along the Oxford-Bedford corridor, or to focus on protecting rural character.
According to Thames Valley Police, in recent months Bampton has faced issues with unruly behaviour.
Following investigations involving CCTV and reports from residents, those involved have been issued with acceptable behaviour contracts for 12 months.
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The contracts, which are signed by both the children involved and their parents, outline a set of rules to follow in public places and serve as a warning about the potential consequences of future misbehaviour.
The contracts are not criminalising but are designed to help individuals avoid peer pressure and reflect on their actions.
The forces says they offer a chance for improvement, especially for those on the brink of criminal activity.
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