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A West London retail park is set to be transformed into a large data centre campus with three new data centres.
Hillingdon Council approved the plans for Hayes on Thursday (October 2). The approval means that the existing Hayes Bridge Retail Park, off Uxbridge Road, and Heathrow Interchange warehouses, will be demolished.
The data centre will be managed by Colt Data Centre Services, a telecommunications service provider. The development will be split across four phases. The first phase will see the smallest of the three data centres built, reaching around 12 storeys. The centre will be renewable energy, with diesel generators used as back up generators using biodiesel.
The second phase focuses on the 'innovation hub'. The hub will offer affordable workspaces for tech start-ups, with community access intended for Brunel University. The largest data centre will be built during phase three. This building will be around 17 storeys high, with over 53,000 sqm of floor space
The fourth and final phase will feature a third data centre, built on the Heathrow Interchange site. This will offer almost 30,000 sqm of floor space.
The applicant has agreed a range of terms under the Section 106 agreement. The innovation hub will remain "genuinely affordable" by offering start-ups peppercorn rental rates.
Colt Data Centre Services will also make over £3million in payments as part of the agreement. This includes just over £1million as an air quality contribution, and a £1.8million carbon offset payment.
The campus will increase the number of jobs on site. Currently there are around 100 full-time employees, this will increase to at least 232 full time employees.
One objection was raised by a neighbouring property, concerned about the potential impact on the value of their business. Planning officers noted this, however explained that the proposals do not indicate anything that would "compromise the efficient operation of neighbouring businesses".
The plans will now be referred to the Mayor of London for stage two approval.
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