Plans Submitted for Massive Data Centre in Park Royal

'Hyperscale' facility likely to be used for AI related processing

A visualisation of the proposed data centre viewed from across the railway tracks. Picture: Scott Brownrigg

November 11, 2025

A planning application has been submitted to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC) for a large new data centre in Park Royal.

The proposal involves demolishing an existing warehouse on Premier Park Road, off Abbey Road, and constructing a multi-storey data processing facility, power infrastructure, and associated landscaping and access improvements. The development would be delivered by SEGRO Pure Premier Park Data Centre Ltd, a joint venture between SEGRO and Pure Data Centres.

The proposal is for a 72MW IT load data centre which puts it in the “hyperscale” category, the same class as major cloud data centres operated by Amazon, Google and Microsoft, and it is likely to be used for AI related data processing. It will need a dedicated high-voltage grid connection from UK Power Networks along with its out generator as a back up. Each megawatt within the centre will support around 1,000 data servers.

The applicant says the centre is needed to expand London’s digital infrastructure capacity, reflecting national policy encouraging the delivery of such facilities to support the modern economy. Data centres are now designated as “Critical National Infrastructure” and are recognised in planning policy as essential for the growth of cloud services, artificial intelligence and digital industries.

The applicant argues that the existing warehouse is not suitable for conversion due to its lightweight structure and restricted space for power and cooling plant.

The scheme includes:

• A three-storey data centre with nine data halls
• A new facilities office block serving staff, security and operations
• A 120MVA substation and modular generator gantry (for emergency use only)
• A new entrance pavilion and revised landscaping
• 38 car parking spaces and 50 cycle parking spaces
• Pedestrian access from Premier Park Road, with improved landscaping along the shared path towards Waxlow Road

The building would have a stepped and layered façade to break down its bulk, using metal cladding in different tones to distinguish the office element from the main data hall structures. Biodiversity improvements would include new woodland and habitat planting, with the scheme delivering a 31% net gain in habitat and a 206% gain in hedgerow value according to the project’s ecological assessment.

A visualisation of the entrance to the proposed data centre. Picture: Scott Brownrigg

Although data centres require fewer staff than traditional industrial uses, the applicant has proposed a Local Labour, Skills and Employment Strategy to ensure training, career routes and workplace visits for local residents and students. SEGRO already funds apprenticeship and employability support programmes in the Park Royal and Old Oak area, and the new scheme is intended to build on these.

The site sits within London’s largest Strategic Industrial Location, with strong connections to the North Circular and national logistics networks. The report states that Park Royal has previously hosted other data infrastructure, though no new capacity was delivered between 2022 and 2025 despite growing demand.

The proposal is part of a broader concentration of data centre development across west and northwest London, particularly along major power and fibre corridors. These include:

• Pure DC’s existing Brent Cross data centre, which the applicant is currently expanding.
• Digital Realty’s Powergate data centre near Park Royal, one of the larger long-established server facilities in West London.
• ARK Data Centres’ Hayes campus, positioned close to major fibre exchange points and the Heathrow corridor.
• Several smaller co-location and cloud facilities distributed between Acton, Wembley and Slough, forming part of the wider “London Availability Zone” digital cluster.

Plans were also recently approved for four data centres on the The Southall International Trading Estate. The site on Trident Way close to the A312 and M4, was also previously occupied by warehouses.

This clustering reflects the need for proximity to dense fibre networks, grid capacity and central London digital demand while avoiding highly constrained central urban sites.

Because of its scale, the application must be referred to the Greater London Authority before it can be determined. The OPDC and GLA provided feedback during pre-application stages, which led to changes including reductions in building height, increased cycle parking, and a revised entrance design.

The OPDC will now undertake formal public consultation before reaching a decision.