Google Data Centre Plans Threaten Rare Plants and Bumblebee Habitat in Thurrock

Plans to build a new Google data centre at the Arena Essex Raceway could threaten the habitat of one of Britain’s most endangered plants and a rare bumblebee, Essex Wildlife Trust has warned.

Proposed data centre at local wildlife reserve

A planning application has been submitted for the Google data centre in Thurrock. The proposed site is a designated local wildlife reserve and is home to the rare broad-leaved oakweed and the high-pitched carder bumblebee.

Essex Wildlife Trust fears the “incredibly rare” habitat could be “destroyed” by the development.

A Google spokesperson said: “We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously.”

Concerns over water, energy and environmental impact

Data centres are large warehouses filled with powerful computers that run digital services such as movie streaming, online banking and artificial intelligence.

There are reportedly 568 data centres listed in the UK. View the UK data centre map, external.

Emily Buttress, from Essex Wildlife Trust, said the organisation was concerned about the amount of water and energy the facility would require, the impact of warming on surrounding land and the lack of research into the long-term effects of data centre buildings.

“We are very concerned about the rapid growth of data centres,” she said.

“What does that mean for communities in water-drought counties? We’re not against development, but development has to be done sustainably.”