Bromley orders data centre to assess environmental impact

DARE-DC1 Ltd submitted a request to Bromley Council in June, asking whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be needed for the proposed development at Charmwood Farm, Charmwood Lane, Orpington.

The proposed scheme would see a two-storey data centre built on around 10 hectares of currently undeveloped agricultural land, with a footprint of around 15,000 square metres.

The building would stand around 20 metres high and would have an IT capacity of up to 50MW.

READ MORE: Sainsbury’s issues update after power cut closes Sydenham store TWICE in week

Plans also include a standby energy compound containing 16 diesel generators, capable of providing up to 48MW of backup power, alongside electrical infrastructure, cooling equipment, offices, parking, internal roads, and landscaping.

Bromley Council has now issued a positive screening opinion, meaning the authority believes the project is likely to have significant environmental effects and an Environmental Impact Assessment will be required as part of any future planning application.

In its decision, the council said the development would represent a “substantial industrial-scale form of development” in an open Green Belt location.

It raised concerns that the height and scale of the building could create a “significant urbanising influence” on the rural landscape, with possible impacts on views from nearby public rights of way, homes, and the wider countryside.

The council also highlighted the proximity of heritage assets, including two Grade II listed buildings within around 200 metres of the site.

It said further information would be needed to understand whether the development could affect their historic setting.

Concerns were also raised over the loss of agricultural land, with the site containing around five hectares of “best and most versatile agricultural land” classified as Grade 3a.

The council said: “The development would result in a loss of a circa 5ha area of ‘the best and most versatile agricultural land’ and the reversibility of this loss is unknown.

"On this basis, a significant effect is likely.”

Environmental concerns were also flagged around wildlife, with the site bordering Norsted Valley Woods Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) and located around 500 metres from Downe Bank and High Elms Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Natural England advised the council to consider whether an EIA was needed due to the potential impact on the SSSI.

The council said the development could lead to habitat loss, fragmentation, disturbance from construction, increased lighting, and changes to wildlife routes.

Archaeological concerns were also raised, with the site sitting within the Bromley Downs Tier III Archaeological Priority Area.

The Greater London Archaeological Advisory Service (GLAAS) said there was “likely to be a significant effect on archaeology” and advised that archaeological surveys should form part of any future application.

Transport impacts were another concern, with officers saying the current information did not demonstrate that highway, access, construction traffic, and parking impacts would be insignificant.

The site is close to the A21 Sevenoaks Road, which forms part of Transport for London’s road network, while nearby Charnwood Lane is described as a narrower rural road.

However, the council said some potential impacts, including noise, air quality, and waste, could likely be managed through further assessments and mitigation measures.

A Bromley Council spokesperson said: “Taking into account the location, scale, and characteristics of the development, and the nature, duration, and reversibility of its potential impacts, it is considered that the proposal is likely to give rise to significant environmental effects.

"Accordingly, in exercising the powers conferred on the Local Planning Authority under Regulation 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017, it is hereby determined that the proposed development does constitute EIA development.

"Decision: Positive Screening Opinion.”

The decision does not mean planning permission has been granted for the data centre.

A separate planning application would still need to be submitted and assessed.