Data centres: planning policy, sustainability, and resilience

This briefing provides an overview of the UK data centre sector and its growing strategic importance. It aims to inform policymakers by examining how planning policy, energy and water use, and resilience considerations affect the development and operation of data centres.

The document draws on government analysis, industry data, and stakeholder perspectives to outline current capacity, projected growth, and key policy challenges. It reviews recent planning reforms, assesses pressures on energy systems and natural resources, and considers measures to strengthen resilience as data centres become part of critical national infrastructure.