Data centre operator submits plans for £350m Stockport scheme

Plans have been submitted for a £350m data centre, in Stockport.

In May this year, London-based Kao Data, a specialist developer and operator of high-performance data centres for enterprise, cloud, HPC and AI, announced its proposal to build the centre in Reddish.

Now it has revealed that it has submitted its planning application for a 40MW data centre project, representing a key step forward in the deployment of local and national digital infrastructure.

Since the acquisition of the Kenwood Road site in May, Kao Data said it has developed comprehensive plans for this former industrial site.

Seeking to engage the local community, Kao Data conducted a public consultation from October 9-23, with the majority of respondents expressing an appreciation for the sustainability and energy efficiency illustrated in the proposed plans.

If approved, the company said this cutting-edge facility, on the site of a former 1970s warehouse, will not only bolster local economic growth but also play a pivotal role in advancing scientific research and technological aspirations in Stockport and Greater Manchester, while supporting government ambitions for the UK to become a world-leader in tech.

Kao Data’s facility will utilise 100% certified renewable energy and employ sustainable Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for backup generators, significantly reducing net CO2 emissions by 90%, and the data centre’s environmental impact. Additionally, the proposed implementation of an advanced cooling system will further enhance energy efficiency, aligning with the company’s dedication to sustainability.

Spencer Lamb, Kao Data chief commercial officer, said: “Our new data centre signifies a substantial investment in Stockport and Greater Manchester’s future digital infrastructure. This state-of-the-art facility will cater for the region’s evolving digital needs, supporting technological research, demands for AI, and economic growth.”