Plans for one of the largest data centres in UK near M40

An application could be approved by Cherwell District Council, the planning authority, to build a 104,008 sq m data centre in Graven Hill, next door to St Davids Barracks.

After outline planning permission was granted in October 2023 with 47 conditions, the application was submitted in December 2025.

The proposed development comprises eight data centre buildings, each designed to accommodated IT infrastructure with a maximum utility capacity of 435MW – roughly the same power as one million homes.

Each data centre, which would have backup power generation facilities, is designed to accommodate computing infrastructure, which has an IT capacity of 290MW.

There would also be a substation to the southwest of the site.

Proposed site plan at Graven Hill data centre (Image: Atelier Gooch)

The site was formerly used by the Ministry of Defence for storage and distribution purposes dating back to 1942.

If approved, it is anticipated that between 500 and 800 jobs will be created once the site is fully operational with half of these position expected to be remote.

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Unlike a typical warehouse, data centres are full of servers that store digital ‘cloud’ services, which use large amounts of power and generate a substantial amount of heat.

The growth of Information Technology infrastructure services, such as ‘cloud’ computing, have expanded at pace with data centres at the core.

Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework in December 2024 recognised data centres as ‘critical national infrastructure’ to enable the development of technology industries.

However, key issues raised by the Graven Hill Resident’s Association include power, cooling, water and heat reuse, as well as noise.

One of the biggest issues to developing Bicester has been ensuring sufficient electricity supply can meet the demands of the growing town, with a number of sites previously stalled as there is no National Grid capacity, developers say.

This problem is only expected to get worse with estimates that the UK’s total electricity demand will rise by 50 per cent in 10 years.

Birds eye view of the Graven Hill data centre (Image: Atelier Gooch)

The data centres are cooled using a combination of mechanical coolers and free cooling, which uses little water, but the latter is insufficient around 40 per cent of the year.

A noise and vibration assessment at 10 locations around Graven Hill showed acceptable levels but locations closest showed an adverse impact.

Additionally, as the electric energy turns into heat, this could be used to warm nearby homes. While this was mentioned as a possibility, there has been no other initiatives.

Other concerns include about employment, planning processes, lighting and ecology.

Cherwell District Council is expected to make a decision today (Friday, April 10).