Petition launched to halt Blackpool's 'game-changing' £14bn Silicon Sands data project
The Silicon Sands project has been hailed as a massive boost for Blackpool - but a campaigner wants to see it halted
A petition is aiming to put a stop to ambitious plans for a Blackpool data centre business park which it is said could eventually bring up to £14 billion to the region.
The Silicon Sands scheme has been hailed by Blackpool Council as a ‘game changer’ which will attract top companies and much-needed high quality jobs to the town.
Following the formal competitive exercise under the Procurement Act 2023, the council looks set to award the contract to HOCHTIEF Data Centre Partner UK Ltd (HOCHTIEF DCPUK) who submitted the most advantageous tender.
Despite the huge ambitions for this project, concerns have been raised about it from an environmental perspective.
What are data centres?
Data centres house powerful computers which store, process, and share digital information, whether it’s from someone streaming a video, sending a text, or saving photos to the cloud, the data lives and works inside a data centre.
These centres help businesses by securely storing vast amounts of information, running critical software, and providing massive computing power in one safe place.
But opponents say some data centres use unacceptably massive amounts of electricity, as well as water to cool the constantly-in-use, high-powered computer systems.
A recent announcement that the Blackpool scheme is about to take a major step further has prompted a kickback against it, at a time when some data centres are coming in for intense environmental criticism.
The new data centre will form the first first phase of Silicon Sands, a new business park designed to attract technology and digital companies to the area.
But Elizabeth Brownsword, a 32 year old who works in education and grew up on the Fylde coast, said she was alarmed when she heard of the plans.
She set up the petition, which has so far gathered almost 400 signatures, citing a raft of environmental concerns and questioning its capacity to generate as many jobs as proclaimed.
However, Blackpool Council says it is vital this scheme is not confused with other projects abroad - including parts of the United States - which have entirely alternative systems and use resources in a vastly different way.
What campaigner says
Elizabeth said: “We are starting to hear about data centres a lot now and there are quite a lot of issues coming to light which are causing genuine concerns.
“I think there are a lot of people in Blackpool who still don’t know anything about this project and I wanted to get it out, and make people aware of potential problems. You won’t her about those from the people promoting it.”
In her petition, she says: “The proposed construction of the 'Silicon Sands' AI Data Centre in Blackpool by HOCHTIEF poses significant environmental and social concerns for the local community and the broader region.
“We urge the Blackpool council and planning authorities to reconsider this development. We still have time to stop this.
“This decision is now subject to a mandatory standstill period and final governance approvals prior to formal contract award on October 1.
“These AI Data Centres will generate significant levels of light, noise and waste pollution. That will damage the environment for residents and wildlife. “
The petition raises concerns about significant levels of dust being generated during the construction and decommissioning stages of the scheme, which it says could impact upon the operations of local services as well as severely impact human health.
It continues: “ Not only are homes near AI data centres becoming polluted with constant noise and light from the buildings but their properties are losing value and becoming unsellable.
“Travel - whilst not lying predominantly within the Borough of Blackpool, it is expected that any restrictions on traffic flows on Clifton Drive and / or Queensway will lead to congestion on both routes and the wider area.
“These roads are the only two routes connecting St. Annes Beach and Blackpool, and there is not sufficient capacity in the network to absorb this impact.”
It concludes: “Finally, there is little evidence to show that AI Data Centres hold any financial gains for local people. In similar locations where this has happened residents have found that they have not benefited from work or training.
“Jobs are outsourced to people from further afield who do not contribute to the local economy.
“We call upon the Blackpool Council and all relevant stakeholders to stop the 'Silicon Sands' AI Data Center project immediately. “
The campaigner also raises concern about the use of sea water to cool the centre, citing disruption to beach use and traffic problems caused by the pipework.
Council refutes fears raised
But Blackpool Council says Silicon Sands will not use sea water and will in fact use water from the public supply system fed by natural sources, and then recycle it so as not to waste the resource.
Cllr Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “It is very important that people don’t confuse our plans for Silicon Sands with data centres in the USA that drain energy and water. Silicon Sands is doing data centres differently, putting sustainability and local benefit at its core.
"We have a real opportunity here in Blackpool to develop an ethical data centre that is different to traditional data centres. I’m really proud that in Blackpool we will be leading the way to make data centres more environmentally friendly.
“This won’t be a data centre that drains fossil fuel energy or uses excessive amounts of water. A clear-criteria from us is that it will be closed loop, using renewable energy and reusing any waste heat in local buildings to reduce bills and create a community benefit.
“It also won’t stand alone. This the beginning of us bringing millions, possibly billions, of pounds of private sector investment to the Fylde coast, creating a digital business campus with high quality, well-paid jobs and creating more reasons for our young people to stay and thrive in Blackpool – all while tackling the climate emergency.”
The petition can be viewed at: https://c.org/FyNvdtVrr4