PLANS for a major data centre on North Weald Airfield are being opposed by the parish council which fears the height of the proposed buildings “threatens the future aviation operations” of the airfield.

The impact the proposed development would have on current and future airfield operations is among various objections detailed by the parish council’s planning committee.

The application has been submitted 16 months after Epping Forest District Council announced it had sold 52 acres of the airfield to technology giant Google for £88.2m..

The planning application describes the proposed centre as “a state-of-the-art hyperscale digital infrastructure facility” which is “designed to meet the growing demands of data economy while integrating seamlessly into its surroundings”.

The project “will deliver a high-performance, secure, and resilient data centre campus, supporting the expansion of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital services”.

North Weald Bassett Parish Council says the application fails to meet with requirements of the endorsed North Weald Airfield Strategic Masterplan, and is contrary to the Local Plan.

“In addition, the proposals do not sufficiently evidence that the proposed building heights will not compromise airfield operation safety, or jeopardise the future of North Weald Airfield.”

The parish council also states the proposed landscaping surrounding the site and which is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Airfield Masterplan, raises “a number of concerns that have not been adequately addressed”.

“Whilst this (Western Bund) may provide a nice daytime viewing platform to airfield operations, it presents both a security risk and a prime spot for night time anti-social behaviour given the area is not overlooked. 

“There are no details as to who will actively manage this area given it is outside the secure perimeter of the proposed data centre, nor how safety and security would be addressed (CCTV for example). 

“Given the extreme close proximity of the bund to the airfield, and its secluded nature, it has not been clearly evidenced that the proposals do not present a security / crime risk. 

“In addition, the documents submitted suggest this is a ‘safety / security bund’, but there is no evidence as to why a bund is required, or if this is to protect the proposed data centre or the airfield.”

The parish council has also raised concerns over the site access during the 36-month construction period when all construction vehicles would use the roundabout at Siskin Way “which would cause an unacceptable impact on the living conditions of the residents of Flats 59-66 Blenheim Square, an identified sensitive receptor”.

Instead, the parish council states that, if planning permission is granted, all construction vehicles and operations should temporarily use the proposed emergency northern access to the site.

The council adds the data centre would “completely eliminate” views of the airfield from the Grade II listed Air Traffic Control Tower.

The council states: “It is understood that the energy supply (for the data centre) will be sourced from the Waltham Cross and Rye House sub-stations via underground cable connections. 

“The parish council is concerned about the local disruption this may cause in terms of roadworks, and as such reserves judgement on this matter until any possible reserved matters application. 

“However, the parish council does have concerns regarding the suggestion that photovoltaic solar panels have been deemed suitable for this development, the quantum of which will be determined during design development. 

“Glint and glare from solar panels are known to have potential negative effects on airfield operations, specifically take off, landing, and impact on control towers. 

“A glint and glare assessment has not been submitted, and as such it has not been clearly established that solar panels would be a safe sustainable energy supply. 

“It would be expected that before it can be established that solar panels are safe and a possible option, a full assessment as to their suitability must be undertaken, and evidence provided that they would not cause any detrimental affect on airfield safety or operations.”

The parish council’s objections also include noise impact issues, concerns over lighting, and the absence of any proposed S106 agreement for “benefits directly related to North Weald, specific in nature setting out how the residents of North Weald will benefit from these proposals”. 

The parish council intends to speak at the district council planning committee meeting when the application is considered.