Brick Lane data centre plan faces local backlash

Residents and campaigners on London's Brick Lane are opposing a planned data centre at the former Truman brewery site, saying the redevelopment threatens local heritage and should do more to address social housing needs.

The project is part of a multi-million pound redevelopment of the 10-acre site in the historic heart of London's Bangladeshi community. The site is also due to include new offices and retail space serving the nearby financial district.

Local councillor Faysal Ahmed said Brick Lane had been a focal point of the British Bangladeshi community. Campaigners say the land could help meet housing demand in Tower Hamlets, where about 31,000 residents are on the waiting list for social housing.

The redevelopment plans include 44 flats, six of them for social housing. Residents recently protested outside the Ministry of Housing.

Planning documents said the Labour government gave significant weight to the benefits of additional data centre capacity, citing demand from artificial intelligence and digital services. The government's housing department declined to comment on its August decision approving the plans, and the Truman Brewery did not respond to AFP's request for comment.

Industry consultant Mark Acton said data centres are increasingly essential, especially in London, where proximity supports fast response times for financial trading. Environmental charity Global Action Plan said UK planning rules have not kept pace with the sector's expansion or its environmental costs.