Council’s Rationale: Economic Boost Over Transparency
A council in North Devon quietly endorsed a sprawling artificial‑intelligence data centre project more than a year before the scheme entered the public eye, according to documents obtained through freedom‑of‑information requests and reported by the Guardian. The papers show that the developer, Xlinks, received formal backing from the council while the plan remained under wraps.
Breaking news
Town AI Secures $108 Million Series B, Valued at $1 Billion After $55 M Pre‑Series
Apple Prepares for Major Product Launch Event on October 28
Apple Releases Release Candidates for watchOS, tvOS and visionOS 27.2
Apple Limits iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro Max to Reservation-Only Sales in Japan and South KoreaThe FOI releases detail how the council’s planning committee gave provisional approval to Xlinks’ proposal, citing potential economic benefits and job creation for the region. Campaigners argue the council failed to disclose the project’s scale, environmental impact and the substantial public funding it was set to receive. The documents also reveal that the council’s own officers raised concerns about the site’s proximity to protected habitats, but these warnings were overridden by senior officials eager to attract high‑tech investment.
Council leaders argued the data centre would position North Devon as a hub for cutting‑edge technology, promising thousands of construction jobs and long‑term high‑skill positions. They highlighted Xlinks’ pledge to invest millions in local infrastructure, including upgrades to broadband and transport links. However, the FOI files show that the council did not inform residents that the project would require a massive power supply, potentially sourced from offshore wind farms, and that the site lay near a designated wildlife corridor. Critics say the council prioritized headline‑grabbing economic promises while sidestepping community consultation.
Was the Public Rightly Excluded From Early Decision‑Making?
The secrecy surrounding the early endorsement has sparked a debate over democratic accountability. Residents only learned of the project after the council’s minutes were released following a legal challenge by local environmental groups. „We were blindsided,” said one campaigner, noting that the council’s initial support came without any public hearing or impact assessment being shared. The lack of transparency, they argue, undermines trust in local governance and sets a worrying precedent for future high‑tech developments.
The council now faces pressure to revisit its approval process. Opposition parties have called for an independent inquiry into whether proper procedures were followed. Meanwhile, Xlinks has affirmed its commitment to the North Devon site, stating that the data centre will meet stringent environmental standards and will be powered by renewable energy. The company also pledged to engage with local stakeholders moving forward, though skeptics remain unconvinced.
If the controversy escalates, the council could be forced to halt or redesign the project, potentially delaying the promised economic uplift. The episode may also prompt broader scrutiny of how UK local authorities handle large‑scale tech investments, especially those with significant environmental footprints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly did the council approve? The council gave provisional planning consent to Xlinks’ AI data centre, allowing the developer to proceed with detailed design and funding arrangements before the project was publicly announced.
Why were the documents only released after a FOI request? The council did not publish the files voluntarily; they were disclosed after campaigners filed freedom‑of‑information requests and a subsequent legal challenge forced the council to comply.
What are the next steps for the project? Xlinks says it will continue with construction, adhering to renewable‑energy commitments, while the council faces calls for an independent review of its early endorsement and may need to hold public consultations before final approval.
