Plans for £2bn “Mega” Data Centre in Scottish Borders Face Growing Environmental Scrutiny

A controversial proposal to build a massive, 225-megawatt data centre in the Lammermuirs, spearheaded by the Duke of Roxburghe’s business interests, has come under intense fire from environmental regulators and local campaigners.

Sunlaws Development Company, owned by Charles Innes-Ker, the 11th Duke of Roxburghe, and his family, is seeking to develop a 151-hectare site in the Scottish Borders. The project, which has been the subject of leaked correspondence suggesting the Duke lobbied government officials for support, would see the construction of three data centre buildings, each reaching heights of up to 24 metres.

Regulatory and Environmental Warnings

The ambitious project, which carries an estimated price tag of £2 billion, is currently facing significant hurdles following preliminary planning assessments. NatureScot, the national agency for Scotland’s natural heritage, has issued a stark warning that the development is “likely to have a significant effect” on the River Tweed Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

The proposed site lies within one kilometre of river tributaries vital to protected species, including Atlantic salmon, otters, and both brook and river lampreys. Regulators expressed alarm over the risks of sediment runoff and chemical contamination during the intensive construction phase.

Furthermore, officials from the Scottish Borders Council have highlighted potential threats to local private water supplies, while campaign groups, including Foxglove and Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS), have raised red flags regarding the facility’s massive energy and water requirements.

Concerns Over “Extravagant” Resource Usage

The project has been labeled a data centre that raises “far more questions than answers.” Initial planning documents caused a stir by proposing both a mains water connection via Scottish Water and an on-site borehole. Following backlash, developers confirmed that a mains connection is no longer being considered, with plans now relying primarily on rainwater collection from an 81,000-square-metre “living roof.”

Equally contentious is the developer’s plan for a mains gas connection. While the company insists the gas supply is intended solely for standby power during grid outages, critics argue that locking in fossil fuel infrastructure for such an energy-intensive project contradicts climate goals.

“Any plans to [run data centres off fossil gas] must be stopped in their tracks,” said Donald Campbell, advocacy director at Foxglove. “Gas-fired data centres will drive up carbon emissions, right at the time when we’re seeing the terrifying impacts of climate change.”

Calls for a Moratorium

In light of the concerns regarding the “wild west” of speculative data centre applications currently sweeping across Scotland, there are growing calls for a formal moratorium.

Scottish Greens MSP Laura Moodie has urged the Scottish Government to intervene, stating that the public deserves answers before “damage has been done.”

“We cannot sleepwalk into a climate-wrecking project of this scale, which increasingly appears to be putting tech giant profits ahead of local communities,” Moodie added.

A spokesperson for Sunlaws Development Company stated that the site was specifically selected for its proximity to wind farms in the Lammermuirs, aiming to utilize renewable energy that is currently “constrained off” the grid. The developers maintain that a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is underway and that the facility will adhere to rigorous environmental standards. Further public exhibitions are scheduled for the autumn as the project navigates the formal planning process.